Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his hounds

This public artwork was commissioned by Kildare County Council for a number of reasons, it was to mark the contribution of the work of the army at the Curragh Camp, to mark the significance of Fionn and na Fianna in Kildare and to initiate a key piece to be included in the Public Art and Heritage Trail in Newbridge. The piece is located on a roundabout at exit 12 of the M7 for Newbridge South and The Curragh. The artwork was paid for from 'paid parking' in Newbridge.

Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna are genuine historical figures whose deeds and life stories have been embellished through time, myth and legend. There are many tales of their acts of bravery and magic. They were hunters and warriors, the bravest, the swiftest, the strongest and made the wild places of Ireland their demesne. Fionn, their last leader, was larger than life and always accompanied by his two hounds, Bran and Sceolan, who were actually his nephews transformed into hunting dogs by evil sorcery. The Hill of Allen was the home of Fionn MacCumhaill and the headquarters of the Fianna, it can be seen from the site of the sculpture.

Fionn and his Hounds are a powerful symbol of strength and protection and they now stand guard once again in County Kildare. The commission gave the artist an opportunity to work large scale and to express her interest in Irish Folklore and mythology. The artist constructed the sculpture by shaping and bending the metal pieces herself.

The artwork was discussed on KFM and was covered in both the Leinster Leader and The Kildare Nationalist.

Lynn Kirkham is a well commissioned artist who works in a variety of media. Her public artworks include pieces in bronze, scrap metal, steel, concrete and willow. Lynn works all over Ireland but has bases in Tipperary and Bere Island where she has recently set up 'Bere Metal'. Her artwork is always site specific and in response to location.

Engineer and steel worker