New Laytown horses are a sure bet
WHITE horses have been crashing onto the strand at Laytown for centuries, not to mention those which race along the beach, but now three black ones have a new home in the coastal town. COLAISTE na hInse school will proudly showcase the work of artist Lynn Kirkham, with the trio of bog wood sculptures, which they commissioned from the Tipperary-based artist two years ago.
The horses, names Dearfachas, Uaillmnian and Brod were unveiled last week, and are drawing praise and admiration from many quarters.
“They are the result of almost two years of hard labour, with 150 separate pieces of bog oak, ewe and pine needing to be assembled,” explains Lynn, who originally hails from Lancashire in England.
“The motto of the school is Positivity, Ambition and Pride, and that is what we have named the horses, in the Irish language.”
The art was commissioned by the school to mark the new development, with aid from an EU grant towards projects of this type.
Lynn has completed a similar project at the Curragh race course, with the landmark sculptures of Fionn Mac Cumhail and his Hounds.
“They are quite well-known now, and I’m hoping the horses will be the same,” adds Lynn who runs Greenmantle Arts.
“The horses were a lot of hard work, given I am a tiny woman, but I am very proud of the result, and I hope everyone in Laytown and Bettystown loves them too.”