Padraic Ó Conaire was probably the best known Irish language writer of the 20th century.

Ó Conaire wrote in simple, direct Irish about the reality of life Ireland during his time.

Many will remember studying M'Asal Beag Dubh in secondary school.

Padraic died in 1928 aged just 46 years.

In 1929. Albert Power R.H.A. was commissioned to sculpt a statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire. In 1935 the statue of Padraic Ó Conaire was unveiled in Eyre Square by President Eamon de Valera. A crowd of about 3,000 people attended.

Sadly, over time the statue suffered many acts of vandalism. It was repaired and transported to Galway City Museum where it was conserved and protected.

In November 2017, President Michael D Higgins unveiled a bronze replica of a statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire in Galway's Eyre Square, 11 years after the original sculpture was removed for preservation. Work on the bronze statue was overseen by sculptor Maurice Quillinan.

In 2020, Mark Feely was privately commissioned to craft a limestone replica of Padraic Ó Conaire. What an extraordinary masterpiece he has created!  Pure Genius!  And from Lecarrow Limestone!

Kilteevan Tidy Towns was privileged to view, receive permission to photograph and to post the local masterpiece of Padraic here, before he left Roscommon for his new home.

Mark Feely has added a new Roscommon Chapter to this amazing story of Man and Statue.  Well Done Mark! We are so proud of the fact that Roscommon has a sculpture of this calibre.

***Please note the magic of the Mark’s chisel continues. Thanks to Creative Ireland and Roscommon Co Council, Kilteevan Tidy Towns has commissioned an exciting, unique sculpture for Lilliput Way on the Cloonlarge Loop.

Watch this space towards the end of September. You won’t believe what your eyes! Magic Happens!

You can read the extraordinary story of Padraic Ó Conaire at Galway City Museum Website.

Link below

https://www.galwaycitymuseum.ie/padraic-o-conaire/?locale=en

Kilteevan Tidy Towns has earned a seven-point increase in the 2019 competition. Our adjudicator stated in our report “To attain the level of ranking in the competition that you have in less than 5 years, is also a major achievement.”

And there is more exciting news-The Cloonlarge Loop has won 2^nd place in the Sustainable Development Award Section of the competition,

Kilteevan Tidy Towns would like to express a sincere thank you to everyone who has helped us  to achieve this outstanding result

The group was presented with their award by Minister Heather Humphreys  at a gala celebration in Glaslough Co Monaghan ,Irelands Tidiest Town 2019.