Irish Public Sculpture: A History

This panoramic study tells the story of public art in Ireland from the High Crosses of the Celtic period to the sculpture trails of today. It presents each sculpture in the context of its art, its original purpose, its place, and the public perception of it in different periods, asking whether public art in Ireland can be considered to be a continuous tradition. Illustrated with over 100 black-and-white photographs and drawings, this handsome volume will help towards an appreciation of Ireland's monumental heritage and contemporary public art. The contents are divided into the following chronological chapters: pre-classical sculpture; the classical tradition; 19th-century monuments; 20th-century monuments; new directions.