Over the course of my research I have come across many  modern depictions of the Irish saints. These statues are in stark contrast to the more formal  religious statues dating to the 19th/early 20th century and in most cases portray with more human qualities. This post highlights a few of my favorites.

Saint Brigid

Limestone Statue of St. Brigid at  St Brigid’s holy well Mullingar Co Westmeath. I think this is my favorite representation of the saint.

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St Gobnait

Seamus Murphy statue of St Gobnait at Ballyvourney Co Cork.  Gobnait was also the patron saint of bee keepers and kept her own bees.  There are a number of  legend  in which she unleashes her bees to attack enemies. The statue incorporates a number of bees at its base to represent this tradition.

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Another very lovely depiction of the saint is found at Tober Ghobnait/St Gobnait’s well  Dún Chaoin/ Dunquin Co Kerry, where a bust St Gobnait carved by the artist Cliodhna Cussen is incorporated into the wall of the  holy well.

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St Flannan

Carving of St Flannan  set into well house at St Flannan’s holy well, Inagh, Co Clare.

Carving of St Flannan’s head at the holy well at Kilaspuglonane Co Clare.

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St Fanahan

Statue of St Fanahan at St Fanahan’s  well holy  Mitchelstown Co Cork. The saint is standing over an eel, local folklore state an eel resides in the well and if you are fortune to catch a glimpse you will be healed.

St Killian

Statue of St Killian at St Killian’s church in Mullagh Co Cavan . The saint is shown as an old man with a book and staff. Born in Cloughbally in the seventh century he later became an Irish missionary in what in is northern part of Bavaria, Germany.

St Patrick

Statue of St Patrick’s at St Patrick’s holy well at Glassely Co Kildare.

Our Lady

Seamus Murphy carving of the Madonna and child inspired by the medieval plaque of Our Lady of Graces at Abbey Street Youghal Co Cork.