The sun shone down in Killaloe/Ballina last Saturday as Ireland’s Greatest High King, Brian Ború, was honoured in his native place with the unveiling of a shield commemorating the 1,000^th anniversary of his death at the Battle of Clontarf.

This shield was unveiled by local historian Seán Kierse and Co. Clare based blacksmith Mark Wilson.

Prior to the unveiling the crowd were treated to a performance by a group of Transition Year students from St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe who performed the Kincora Call.

“We are delighted to be here today to commemorate Brian Ború” said John Grimes, Chairperson of the Féile Brian Ború committee. “Féile Brian Ború was set up in 1993 with the aim of celebrating Brian Ború’s life in his native place and even back then, we hoped that we would be able to do something like this to commemorate Brian Ború in 2014. We hope that this shield will be here for many years to come” John thanked everyone who had been involved, in particular, Mark Wilson, who had put so much work into this piece. John also commended Séan Kierse, local historian, who had imparted so much information about Brian Ború over the years. John also thanked Mr. Kierse for his support of Féile Brian Ború and for his help with setting up Féile Brian Ború 21 years ago.

Tony O’Brien, Deputy Mayor of Clare, congratulated everyone involved and stated that he was delighted to witness the unveiling of the shield in Killaloe. Tony also commended the Féile Brian Ború committee for their continuous work and dedication over the past 21 years even through challenging times.

The Féile Brian Ború committee would like to thank:

Mark Wilson (Blacksmith); Suzi Lewisohn (Silversmith); Suzannah O’Reilly (Artist/Printmaker); Séan Kierse, CELT (Centre for Environmental Living & Training); Clare County Library; Killaloe Library; Kincora Call; Clare County Arts Office; North Tipperary Arts Office; Nard Slabbers – East Clare Repairs; Sarah Devane; Úna Kierse; Paul Mc Namara, George Hickey, Charlie Henniger, Ballinahinch National School & all the local schools; all those who took part in the Copper Craft Workshops during Féile Brian Ború 2014 and all the sponsors of Féile Brian Ború 2014 .

This shield is mounted on the wall outside the Killaloe Library/Brian Ború Heritage Centre and is well worth a visit!

About the shield-

This piece was commissioned by the Féile Brian Ború committee as a way of commemorating Brian Ború in his native place in 2014 and in the future. During Féile Brian Ború 2014 (3^rd – 6^th July), which commemorated the 1,000th anniversary of the death of Brian Ború at the Battle of Clontarf, the pieces for this unique mural were created by adults and children who took part in Copper craft workshops with Silversmith Suzi Lewisohn at the CELT Traditional Craft Experience. It is a two dimensional copper sculpture using different techniques including stamp work, riveting and wirework. This artwork was created and finished by Co. Clare based blacksmith Mark Wilson and the design for this piece was taken from a woodcut created by artist/printmaker Suzannah O’Reilly with the help of Ballinahinch National School during the Artists in Schools Scheme earlier in 2014.