Gulliver Arrives on Lilliput Way Kilteevan

A  new sculpture Gulliver for Lilliput Way unveiled recently in Kilteevan by guest of honour, Cllr Joe Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Roscommon Co Council. The project, an initiative of Kilteevan Tidy Towns was funded by Roscommon Co. Council Creative Ireland Programme 2021.

The event was attended by the Tidy Towns Committee, staff and pupils of Kilteevan National School/ Junior Tidy Towns, Roscommon Co Councillors, staff of Roscommon Co Council, the Community Wetlands Forum, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and residents/landowners of the Cloonlarge Loop.

The project was inspired by an old turf cutting machine found on the bog which was called a Lilliput.  In honour of ther machine the road was called  Lilliput Way.

The word Lilliput stirred up a lot of memories for Kilteevan Tidy Towns committee. The novel Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathon Swift was came to mind. In the book Gulliver went to a land called Lilliput. All the people there were tiny just 6 inches tall. Gulliver was a giant in Lilliput.

Kilteevan had a Fairy Trail and a Lilliput, so the committee began to wonder if they could bring Gulliver to live on Lilliput Way and in doing so honour Jonathon Swift also. Swift’s contribution to support mental health is a legacy which still lives on in St Patrick’s Hospital Dublin. All Kilteevan Tidy Towns work on the Cloonlarge Loop is about physical and mental wellbeing in a healthy environment.

Following a successful application for funding under the Creative Ireland Programme Kilteevan Tidy Towns commissioned Mark Feely to sculpt a friendly Giant's Head for Lilliput Way on the Cloonlarge Loop.

During initial consultations with Mark he felt that it was very important that the sculpture would be tangible for children so Gulliver’s hand was created also. As the project evolved and Mark took the environment of the location on board he suggested that Gulliver should be connected to nature and Bbodiversity so a butterfly was crafted to poise on Gulliver’s fingertip. The stone for Gulliver’s head came from Lecarrow Quarry and weighed 18 ton. When the head was complete Gulliver weighed 13 ton. The stone for the hand weighed 5 ton.

Eileen Fahey stated that she wanted it put on record that Mark Feeley had donated endless voluntary hours in this project … simply because Mark wanted to do the best possible job. The fact that it was for Roscommon meant so much to him..

Eileen praised Mark’s vision, creativity, craftsmanship, skill, intelligence, patience, commitment, attention detail, respect for heritage and his enthusiasm for his work.

Eileen  thanked

Neal Geraghty, Majella Hunt, Rhona Mc Grath and Áine Butler and Ruairí Ó hAodha Roscommon Co Council.

Laura Gallagher, Conservation Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service

The Residents/landowners of the Cloonlarge/ Annaghmore townlands

Fiona Dunne FD Design, Pat Hoey Roscommon Signs, & Padraig Cuddy Class Grass

Speaking at the event Mark Feely said that the running joke going around at the moment is Kilteevan Tidy Towns have a very big head !

He said he thought everyone would agree that the driving force behind this project was Eileen Fahey.  He thanked her for her good humour and enthusiasm which made it a pleasure to work on this sculpture.

Mark extended his sincere thanks to his neighbour Noel Beatty in particular. Mark stated that Winston Churchill once said if you’re going through hell keep walking and an equally wise Roscommon man Noel Beatty said, “if you’re going through the bog keep moving because if you don’t you will sink”.  Well I did sink but thankfully Noel got me out.  Noel, without your brilliant engineering brain, I don’t think Gulliver would have made it here today."

Mark also extended his thanks to 

 His own team of lads, Augusto, Eike, Thomas and Jack. 

Mike Kelly stone who organised a lot of work behind the scenes for him. 

The great concrete man David Malone and Ollie Kelly for lots of gravel and hoists and some sage advice when it was needed.

Kenny Doyle (Sean Doyle & Sons) for all the help.

Tom Cummins from Anchor lifting services.  You could say he gave us a great lift when Gulliver was down.

His wife Mary who had to put up with him through all the trials and tribulations of carving Gulliver.

Mark finished up by saying, "I made many friends on this job.  The lads from Kilteevan helped us tidy up and put a great finish on things.  It is said that good company shortens a long journey and good help make a hard job a lot easier and both were given here. One thing I have learned from this experience is you can’t do it all on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  This is equally true in life as in work and what I have found is, so many people want to help if help is needed” 

Cllr.  Joe Murphy  Cathaoirleach Roscommon Co Council congratulated Mark on his excellent sculpture. He was very proud of the fact that this wonderful sculpture was now part of Irelands Hidden Heartlands. He praised Kilteevan Tidy Towns for all their dedication and  hard work in developing the area . He referred to the importance of community groups. He referred to the importance of projects related to our physical and mental health.

To finish off the event  Eileen stated that there was one final  formailty - Who would be the first to sit in Gullivers hand ? The fairies and Gulliver had a meeting the night before and left a name in a magical box.  The box was opened and  inside was the name Adam Neilan. When 7 year -year-old Adam recovered from the shock he came forward to  receive the honour of being the first child to sit in Gulliver’s hand following the unveiling.

Everyone then got a opportunity to marvel at Mark Feeley's unbelieveable creation.