Kilfinane NS

Tree of Life” | 2011 | Scoil Fhionáin NS, Kilfinane | 1.5m high x 1m wide | Cast Aluminium and Enamelled Copper

The bark of the tree, made from cast aluminium, depicts an old map of Kilfinane. This is to symbolises the community. The tree is also in the shape of a hand, a symbol of reaching out. The leaves above the tree are made from enamelled copper. Using the aerial view of the Kilfinane moat as the basic motif and dominant shape in each panel, the images show various aspects of school life and the theme here is the children’s sense of place within the school. The final theme is that of the children’s sense of place within the wider environment and this is shown in the bottom panel which portrays aspects of the natural world.

The bronze exterior panel gives the history of the development of Kilfinane in pictorial form. It shows St. Fionáin praying near the holy well by the river with the bee-hive hut and the Celtic cross in the background. The crossed hurleys and G.A.A medal with the date of 1897 indicates Kilfinanes past All-Ireland achievements. It depicts a scales and butter market within the arches of the Market House. John Wesley is also seen preaching here. He preached here at least 6 times between 1765 and 1789.