4,000 year old bog oak sculptures brighten up south Kilkenny

A stunning new sculpture reflecting the rich history of the Piltown area was recently put in place.

It centres around four pieces of bog oak dating back around 4,000 years.

Situated on the side of the road between Fiddown and Piltown, it has caught the attention of motorists and passers-by.

It was donated by O'Shea Farms and was sculpted by Peter Carroll, an artist of great repute, originally from Gowran with a growing national and international profile.

A plaque erected on one of the pieces by local man, Joe Sullivan explains the history behind it.

“From the tiny acorn to sapling to plat to tree, growing and maturing, dying and buried under peat.

“Growing and shredding and re-growing and re-shedding its leaves every year and never missing a year.

“Succumbing to the growth of peat forming plants before eventually being smothered in the peat swamps of the bog of Ardclone. Deprived of oxygen the process of fossilisation commenced.

Joe Sullivan finishes with the following words:

There are no mistakes

Just stepping stones on the path of life

Try to make a difference.”