Sculpture in the Parklands

Sculpture in the Parklands is an arts initiative located within the Lough Boora Parklands complex. The Parklands is comprised of a series of sites, which were once an integral part of the peat producing industry but which are now ‘cutaway’. An essential element of the cessation of peat extraction is the release of the land from it’s designated use, which in turn creates an opportunity to assign new land uses and values to these areas. Cultural changes are reflected in these new value systems as we are now more aware, not just of the value of natural systems and the benefits to wildlife but also of the benefits which accrue to us through interaction with our natural heritage. The development of amenity within the parklands is related to the ‘naturalization’ of the site and very much takes into account the idea that the emerging landscape becomes the amenity. Naturally regenerating ground provides an opportunity to observe the early stages of succession before climax vegetation takes over and interrelated with this and other designated land uses are the networks of access routes that allow activities, from walking, farming & angling, to take place across the site.  While the manifestation of these routes on the ground is innocuous it can become complex as specific designations are applied bringing with them the need or desire of the visitor to orientate themselves within the unfamiliar. Sculpture in the Parklands is set within this context and it’s vision is to ‘inspire artists to create artworks in response to the unique landscape of the cutaway bog’.