The artist, John McCarron, who is partnering with Maurice Harron on the proposed Meitheal ar Scalp/Gathering on Scalp installation on the border of Derry and Donegal, spoke about their partnership to our roving reporter, CATHERINE McGINTY
The pair met on the chilly Scalp summit, 1587 feet above sea level, the stunning site renowned sculptor Maurice Herron has chosen for his latest project.
According to John, the installation is called ‘Meitheal ar Scalp’ because ‘meitheal’ is the Gaeilge word for ‘gathering.’ It will comprise a series of magnificent, 30 feet high sculptors.
He said: “In olden times, the clans would gather on top of the highest point locally, to discuss an upcoming battle or a battle, which had already been fought. What they were doing was dividing up the land, which they saw below.
“In those days, the area would have been heavily forested, so, the clans had to go to the top of a mountain to see clearly, as there were no maps.
“Meitheal ar Scalp is an echo of times past. Maurice has been planning it for the past seven years and it has now come to fruition.
“We are now at the stage were he has put together models and approached councillors, politicians, Fáilte Ireland, Wild Atlantic Way, Donegal County Council and LEADER, leader, with a view to making it a reality.
“As part of Meitheal ar Scalp, it is also envisioned there will be a circle of 12 or possibly 24 standing stones. There will be an inner ring of seven stones, containing the names of the seven clans of Inishowen.”
John revealed Maurice Herron intended to employ local artists to carve the standing stones.
He added: “The standing stones will contain information regarding ancient history and the more modern history of Inishowen and the wider area, up until the time of the Flight of the Earls.
“The standing stones will be placed in a circle, possibly concentric around the metal sculptures. On the stones, there will be information relating to ancient history, the origin of the clans and the background to the movement of people.
“We envisage doing this by, possibly, utilizing QR codes or VR codes, the most up-to-date virtual reality technology. A visitor to the installation could simply download an app unto their phone, which is then pointed at one of the stones and a historical image or a genealogical image appears on the phone. We are also looking at timelines, which is why the Gaelic historian, Dr Eamonn Ó Ciardha, Ulster University, is involved in the project.
“Eamonn has assisted in the examination and understanding of other historical aspects of Meitheal ar Scalp. The installation is more than an artwork. It will be an academic study of the history of Inishowen and beyond.”
Earls
A painter, as well as a sculptor, John asserted Inishowen was an important area, which had never been acknowledged for its role in Gaelic culture.
He said: “Inishowen was an important area, from the earliest times, the Iron Age, to the Bronze Age, right through to the time of the Gaelic chieftains, through to the Flight of the Earls, from Rathmullan.
“So, in some ways, it is the beginning and the end of Gaelic culture, which makes this site so important. One of the scholars, who visited the Scalp site, noted Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle were both visible from here.
“The Foyle and the Swilly were important waterways. The mouth of The Crana, one of the most important salmon rivers in Ancient Ireland and, therefore an important stronghold and an important place to hold, is also clearly visible.
“The sea, in those days, was the highway, so you can imagine how important the peninsula was, or the Island of Inishowen, as it probably was then, with the boggy isthmus at its southern end. So there is no better place to erect a tribute to ancient Gaelic times than on the top of Scalp Mountain. Just look at the perfect view.
“From east to the Paps of Jura in Scotland, Rathlin Island, the North Coast, the mouth of the Bann, going down south to the Sperrins, round to the Blue Stacks, continuing round to Muckish and Errigal, round to the mouth of the Swilly, Leenan Head, Inishowen Head and back round to the mouth of the Foyle. Scalp is the perfect location for this tribute.”
Excited
John also worked with Maurice Herron on the CS Lewis sculptures in East Belfast.
He said one of the most important outcomes of that project was the idea of doing something similar, or better, in Inishowen.
John said: “We have sited many large public sculptures in Derry, Tyrone, Armagh, Belfast, Donegal and beyond, so siting large sculptures on the summit of Scalp is not a problem.
“Scalp is a spectacular site, as you can see, so well worth putting our effort into. I have worked with Maurice on many projects and ‘Meitheal ar Scalp’ is a great feather in our caps. It is a privilege to work with Maurice. Every day is a new day with Maurice.
“I am really excited to get ‘Meitheal ar Scalp’ up and running. I enjoy painting and sculpting but to get working with Maurice is brilliant. He is a very modest individual, as everyone knows, He is very well respected. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to local history. Maurice is as much a historian as he is an artist.
“Regarding the ring of stones, Maurice has engaged, Redmond Herrity, from Letterkenny, the top stone man in Donegal and beyond to guide us. Maurice will be asking local inishowen artists to participate in ‘Meitheal ar Scalp’ and Redmond will provide a short course in stone-carving for those artists who not have the necessary skills. This is another fantastic opportunity offered by ‘Meitheal ar Scalp.’”
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