The controversial ‘Púca of Ennistymon’ statue has finally found a new home.
Clare County Council confirmed today that the Michael Cusack Centre, in the heart of the Burren, has been selected as the new home of the Púca.
Inspired by Irish folklore, the €30,000 2m-tall bronze art piece was originally commissioned by the Local Authority in 2021 for Ennistymon.
However, following backlash from local residents and a subsequent public consultation process where the sculpture was described as ‘evil’ and ‘frightening’, it was decided the Púca would be relocated – with communities asked to submit an application to house the statue.
Judges decided upon the Michael Cusack Centre as the new site for the artwork, as they felt it would add value to the attraction and because the location was historically named ‘Poll a Phúca’.
The judges noted in their citation: “While both applicants put forward compelling arguments for hosting the sculpture, the operators of the Michael Cusack Centre demonstrated how there would be mutual added value to both the installation and the community-run visitor attraction, the location of which was historically named ‘Poll a Phúca’.”
“Michael Cusack Centre demonstrated compatibility to bringing the Púca to its natural home, confirming the interpretative element and story that will be told through the development of an educational aspect to the visitor attraction providing information on the Irish tradition and folklore collection of the Púca,” added the judges.
“There is also a proposal from the Michael Cusack Centre to host an annual Samhain/Púca Storytelling Festival on November 1st to celebrate new beginnings and possibilities with a programme of events ranging from the academic to children’s art.”
Púca creator Aidan Harte is happy with the decision, saying “the Burren was always a hideout for renegades and outsiders so it’s the perfect haunt for a fairy rogue”.
The artist continued: “After last year’s hullabaloo all Ireland knows the Púca’s troublemaking reputation is well deserved but now at last people can go see The Scare from Clare for themselves. Of course, anyone brave enough to rub the Púca’s toe will have seven years’ luck. And as for the locals who kindly gave my lovely horse a home, they’ll have good luck on tap – hospitality is gold to The Good Folk.”
Dónal Ó hAiniféin, Cathaoirleach of the Board of Michael Cusack Centre, commented: “We welcome the decision of the Independent Assessment panel. We are delighted that our bid to host the Púca artwork installation was successful. The Púca will be very welcome to Poll an Phúca in Carron at the Michael Cusack Homestead. Tá áthas an domhain orainn fáilte abhaile go Poll a’ Phúca a chur roimh an píosa ealáine ar leith seo. Táimid cinnte go mbeidh an Púca ar a sháimhín só anseo.”
“We look forward to the installation and the interpretation of the Púca and in creating a new Samhain/Púca Storytelling Festival at the Michael Cusack Centre on November 1st to facilitate a better understanding of the tradition and place of the Púca in Irish Folklore, Heritage and Tradition. An innovative and inclusive programme of community events will be developed to celebrate the Púca for adults and children alike.”
It is intended that the Púca will be erected at the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron next month.
