Christiaan Corlett tracks the handiwork of stone cutter James Butler beyond the previously understood confines of north Wexford
Little is known about the north Wexford stone cutter James Butler, whose work dates from the 1780s through to the early years of the 19th century, and was first recognized by Ada Longfield. While she noted that his work was ‘not without considerable merit and originality’, she concluded that his ‘output was comparatively small’ and that it was ‘limited to the Killincooly-Ardamine area’ .1 His work is found primarily in the old graveyards of Donaghmore near Ballygarret and Ardamine near Courtown, and it seems most likely that his workshop was in this area. Though Butler was not as prolific compared to his better-known predecessor, Denis Cullen, his work appears to be more numerous and widespread than Longfield had thought, and examples of his headstones, albeit in small numbers, have been recently identified in south and east Wicklow.
Proving that good design is timeless, Virginia Teehan presents a selection of rare artefacts travelling to Boston College, celebrating Irish design from the Arts and Crafts Movement.
In response to the 1916 centenary, EVA International takes as its theme, the post-colonial legacy on the psyche and imagination of colonized communities, writes Michaele Cutaya.
A recent visit to Sligo County Library prompts Peter Harbison to ask, could our national institutions do more to give local communities access to their treasures?