Launch of Mayo public art commission The Touchstones

MAYO County Council Arts Service will launch The Touchstones, a public art commission by visual artist James Winnett, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1.

The Touchstones is a series of 10 intricately carved stones that can be found across sites in Turlough, Breaffy, Islandeady and Raheens Woods.

The carvings weave a tale through the landscape, drawing on the folklore, social memory and ecological story of the places in which they stand.

James Winnett is an artist, stone carver and workshop leader interested in the crossovers between sculpture, archaeology, folklore, place and memory. He has worked in public art for 15 years and has produced over 50 large stone public artworks across the UK and Ireland.

The Touchstones operate as a network of curious artefacts that sit in relation both to the character of their specific locations, and to a wider archaeological and mythological landscape. In this way they offer a point of contact, a touchstone, between the world of the present and an otherworldly place somewhere between fact and fantasy, the deep past and the deep future.

James carved the sandstone blocks with traditional tools over the course of a year, taking inspiration from existing medieval stone carvings at sites across Mayo such as Turlough, Straide, Ballintubber, Inishmaine and Cong.

Following the launch on November 1 there will be an artist tour of the 10 stone sculptures in Turlough, Breaffy, Islandeady and Raheens Woods from 11.30 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. A bus and lunch will be provided. Places for the tour are limited and booking is required - contact Aoife O’Toole, public art coordinator, Mayo County Council, at aotoole@mayococo.ie or (094) 9064376.

To mark the launch, local communities will have the opportunity to join Winnett and storyteller Fiona Dowling for a family friendly guided tour and storytelling event. James will provide insights into the research and creative process while Fiona will bring the stones to life by telling some of the tales that inspired the carvings. The dates and time are below:

Turlough, Saturday, October 25, 10.30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: This event will begin at the round tower car park in Turlough (53.889282, -9.207123).

Breaffy Woods, Sunday, October 26, 10.30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Meeting point for this event is outside the main entrance to Breaffy House Hotel (F23 R253).

Islandeady and Raheens Woods, Sunday, October 26, 2.30 to 5.15 p.m.: Meeting point for this event is the car park of St. Patrick’s Church, Islandeady (F23 HF62). Attendees can then drive to Raheens Woods to view three stones. The event will end at the final stone to coincide with sunset.

These events are outdoors so bring raingear and good walking shoes. Booking is required for the guided tour and storytelling events - contact Aoife O’Toole at aotoole@mayococo.ie or (094) 9064376.

This project is part of Mayo County Council’s Public Art Programme, funded under the Per Cent for Art Scheme by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as part of the N5 Westport to Turlough road project and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This funding enables the local authority commission high quality and ambitious contemporary art for the public to experience and enjoy in everyday settings throughout County Mayo.

Mayo County Council has extended its sincere appreciation to the local communities, Coillte, Breaffy House Hotel and the National Museum of Ireland - Turlough Park for their support and collaboration.