Wooden sculptures of women are an important addition to Tipperary Town

New wooden statues of women that have appeared on the streetscapes of Tipperary Town are generating huge interest locally.

The wooden sculptures of two ladies are drawing interested spectators on Davis Street in the town following their arrival from the home of Will Fogarty of Fear na Coillte Chainsaw sculptures in Hospital, Co Limerick.

A project of the Tipperary Town Heritage Subgroup of the Revitalisation Task Force, the plan for the sculptures has been in the planning for the past year.

Recently the plan came to fruition with the delivery of these incredible wood sculptures to Tipperary Town.

The project celebrates prominent local women and was led by the Heritage Subgroup of the Tipperary Revitalisation Task Force, with funding provided by Tipperary Heritage Office under Creative Ireland Tipperary.

The first sculpture, as you walk up Davis Street from the Post Office, depicts Aleen Cust who was born in Cordangan just outside of Tipperary Town in 1868. She was the first female veterinary surgeon in Ireland and Britain.

The second sculpture recognises Cumann an mBan and their contribution to Irish Independence.

The sculptures have been placed alongside, and on the grounds of, Tipperary Post Office on the way into the James Street Car Park, with permission from An Post.

I discovered the amazing story of Aleen Cust when doing research for my book, "Tipperary People of Great Note."

Since then, Aleen Cust has had exposure on RTÉ Nationwide, a two-day conference in her honour, and a book to celebrate her life. A workbook in English and Irish about Aleen, was also prepared by the Tipperary Heritage Officer Roisin O'Grady, and it has been distributed to all the schools in Tipperary.

I am delighted to see Aleen Cust recognised with a local sculpture.

Margaret McCoy, Post Office Manager, Tipperary Town, said that it is great to have something that represents women as this is rare in most towns.

Group member Jacqui Finnan said that a Cumann na mBan wood carving is a great addition. “Women all over the country, including Tipperary, went largely unrecognised for their huge contribution.

"There were also many safe houses in Tipperary where women risked their own lives to shelter volunteers,” said Jacqui.

Sylvia Greene, a member of the group and project lead often walked past the Post Office and noticed two tree stumps that she hoped could be transformed into heritage sculptures.

"I am delighted that this project has been realised and I think that they are a wonderful addition to the town" said Sylvia.

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