Roadside sculptures are turning heads on N22 bypass
ONE DEPICTS A GIRL BURIED IN THE AREA 3,500 YEARS AGO, THE OTHER THE GODDESS ÁINE (ANÚ \ DANÚ)
Two new roadside sculptures are turning heads on the N22 Cork bypass.
Featuring two female heads, they have been created by west Cork based artist Sarah Goyvaerts and were commissioned by Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with funding from the Per Cent for Art Scheme.
The first sculpture named ‘The Bronze Age Girl’ represents a young female whose remains were found in a burial site during the archaeological works for the N22 development, having been cremated and buried with considerable care and effort at Kilnagurteen over 3,500 years ago.
The second ancestor represents the mythical goddess Áine, who is associated with fertility, abundance, and the midsummer point of the year.
‘Áine’ is located on the raised verge facing oncoming westbound traffic in the townland of Coolavokig and has been positioned to face the Summer Solstice sunrise.
‘The Bronze Age Girl’ can be seen on the raised verge facing oncoming eastbound traffic in the townland of Carrigaphooca and is lined up to face the Winter Solstice sunset.
“As we unveil these captivating sculptures along the N22 development, we are celebrating the many benefits that the Macroom to Baile Bhuirne bypass has brought to the community, paving the way for future growth, while also looking to our past. Sarah Goyvaerts and her creative team have brought history and myth to life,” said Mayor of the County of Cork, Frank O’Flynn.
“These pieces not only beautify the landscape but also serve as a testament to our cultural legacy, marking our relationship to place and keeping our stories alive,” he added.
Ahead of the installation, artist Sarah Goyvaerts said: “It was a privilege to create works for a part of the county that I’m very familiar with”.
The sculptures were created in ferrocement over a mesh and stainless-steel framework and include natural pigments distilled from rocks found in the Baile Bhuirne area.