Ag Crú na Gréine “Enjoying the Sun” (2003) By Jackie McKenna [Commissioned by AXA Insurance]-113237

This is a personal favourite.

It has taken me many years to get the story behind this very popular [especially with children] bronze cow in Wolfe Tone Park.

I now know that this sculpture is named “Ag Crú na Gréine” or “Enjoying the Sun” and it is by By Jackie McKenna.

Jackie McKenna is known throughout Ireland for her many public sculpture commissions. For many years, until around 2005, McKenna focused on commissioned sculptures. She has undertaken a number of sculptures in public view and enjoys the conversations and criticisms that occur as a result. She is a co-founder of the Leitrim Sculpture Centre in Manorhamilton.

This cow sculpture was modelled in clay in a shop front window of the Leitrim Sculpture Centre so that passers-by could follow the process and progress of the artwork. Mondays were open access days when farmers coming from the local mart could call in and give their expert opinion on what a good cow should look like.

Some enthusiasts gave thorough examinations, the shapes of the nostrils were examined and the size of the hooves checked. Thirty-two rubber and fibreglass moulds were taken from the finished clay model and brought to CAST foundry in Dublin. The moulds were painted with 4mm thick wax and assembled for casting using the lost wax method. Cast sections were then welded together, finished and patinated. From creation to completion this work remained focused on its purpose as a public work of art and the encouragement of public engagement throughout.

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