May 1st saw the official launch of the public sculpture Árthach Dána in Waterville, Co. Kerry. More than fifty members of the local community followed the speeches of Cllr. and TD Norma Moriarty, Pat Everett (IRD) and John O’Connor as well as an introduction to Amergin by the acclaimed poet Paddy Bushe. The 6.4m high repoussé bronze sculpture is the largest sundial in Ireland and is a monument to seafaring and navigation in prehistoric times. The prow of a boat turns into breaking waves of the Atlantic, then into the beak of a gannet and the gnomon of the sundial, casting its shadow on the bronze markers in the large beach-like semi-circle of the dial. As a tribute to Amergin and the mythological Milesian seafarers from Galicia who, according to legend, brought the celtic/Gaelic language to our shores, the first poem in the Irish language The Song of Amergin, is set in cut-out bronze into the wall over 12m and lit at night. The sculpture was commissioned by Kerry County Council under the Per Cent for Art Initiative to mark the completion of the Waterville Water Scheme. More information is available at www.arthachdana.eu
The front of Árthach Dána (Irish for daring/artful vessel or vessel of destiny) resembles the submerged prow of a planked boat.
The Song of Amergin, with which the Milesian poet claimed the island of Ireland, is lit at night in the adjacent wall. Ballinskelligs Bay, Inber Scéine, and the open Atlantic in the background
