In a first for a public park in County Clare, Clare County Council has commissioned the creation of in-situ tree sculptures, transforming the remains of felled trees in Shannon into woodland carvings that now dot the Town Park landscape.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Shannon Municipal District (MD) Office, turned a necessary public safety act of tree removal into an opportunity to promote environmental awareness and artistic reuse.
The trees, which had been identified as unsafe in early 2025, posed a risk to park visitors. Rather than clearing the stumps completely, Clare County Council engaged renowned wood sculptor Will Fogarty of Fear na Coillte to breathe new life into the tree remnants.
Among the sculptures featured throughout the An Taisce International Green Flag Award-winning public park are detailed carvings of owls, foxes, rabbits, a bumblebee, and a fairy house.
“The Shannon MD Office, with the support of Elected Members, saw an opportunity not just to manage a safety issue, but to do so in a way that aligned with the local authority’s environmental values,” said Councillor Pat O’Gorman, Cathaoirleach of Shannon MD. “The project also offers financial practicality. The cost of sculpting and partial removal matched that of full removal, making it both an economical and imaginative solution.”
“This is the first time we’ve had in-situ tree sculpting done in a public park in Clare,” explained Tom Mellett, Senior Executive Engineer with Shannon MD. “We are proud to lead on something that combines public safety, artistic expression, and sustainability. These sculptures not only enrich the park experience but will also support our efforts to maintain our Green Flag status for the fourth year running.”
“Funded through Shannon MD’s own resources and the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) fund, the project reinforces the importance of reuse in public works and underscores the local authority’s ongoing commitment to enhancing biodiversity and community spaces,” concluded Mr. Mellett.
