Presidential backing for Anne’s new book

GREAT Dubliners musician John Sheehan launched the latest publication from Millstreet native Anne Lane. ‘By the Way 2’ is a focus on over 1,000 public art sculptures photographed and documented all over Ireland.

At a special launch at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin, celebrities were out in force, the attendance included President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, his wife, Sabina, and a host of well-known faces from politics, friends from Anne’s 28 years as personal secretary of past President Mary Robinson.

It took Anne almost three years’ research and lots of driving, with 34,500kms clocked up to complete her project.

“It was a great experience. I loved every bit of it. I hope everybody will like the book, and that people will find it useful in their cars. There are some fantastic pieces out there to be enjoyed”, she said.

President Higgins spoke of the great tradition of public art in Ireland reaching back thousands of years to a time when the earliest inhabitants first raised the megaliths and ancient monuments which can still be found across our country.

“Over the past 30 years a new wave of public art has been made possible by the commitment of citizens in towns and villages across Ireland, and most importantly by national policy through the Per Cent for Art Scheme,” he said. “The diverse sculptures, which now grace our countryside, are a testament not only to the creativity and innovation of the individual artist but also to the power of collective action to adequately fund and sustain public art, as this wonderful collection demonstrates.

“For those fortunate enough to live and travel in Ireland it can provide a new perspective on our native landscape and our journeys through it. For those who have never come to our country I trust that it will arouse curiosity and interest. I hope that all those who open this book will find it as inspiring as I have, said the President.