Fri 31st: Sunrise: 7am – 8.15am

Fri 31st: Sunset: 3.45pm – 5.15pm

Sat 1st: Sunrise: 7am – 8.15am

Sat 1st: Sunset: 3.45pm – 5.15pm

Sun 2nd: Sunrise: 7am – 8.15am

Sun 2nd: Sunset: 3.45pm – 5.15pm

Mon 3rd: Sunrise: 7am – 8.15am

Please see below links to the sunrise and sunset tours –

Sunrise:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-tour-sunrise-the-stones-of-the-hollow-hill-kerdiffstown-park-tickets-1205617908619?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Sunset:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-tour-sunset-the-stones-of-the-hollow-hill-kerdiffstown-park-tickets-1205674096679?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Join artist James Winnett on a guided tour of the Stones of the Hollow Hill, a new public artwork for Kerdiffstown Park near Naas. James will share the inspiration behind the work, insights into the carving process and guide you through the story across the 18 stones. The tour will conclude at the summit of the hill with an opportunity to witness the Brigid’s Day solar alignment at sunrise / sunset (weather permitting). 

The sunrise tours will start at 7am from the first stone which is adjacent to the changing rooms / car park. The park gates open from 6.45am. Please dress for the weather and bring a torch (or use the torch on your phone if you have one). The sunset tours will start at 3.45pm from the first stone which is adjacent to the changing rooms / car park. Please dress for the weather. 

The Stones of the Hollow Hill are a series of 18 carved stones by artist James Winnett that can be found at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas. The carvings tell a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill.

The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire. The character of Brigid references traditions associated with both Brigid the goddess of pre-Christian Ireland and Saint Brigid. The character of Fionn draws on the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great warrior of Irish mythology who is said to have lived nearby on the Hill of Allen. 

The carvings tell of Brigid and Fionn’s journey through a changing landscape while also references the 2011 fire at the site which burnt underground for a month as well as broader themes around waste, climate crisis and healing.

A guide to the stones is available to download here: https://kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/KerdiffstownPark/ArtTrail/

Please see links below to ticketing for the artist talks – one at Naas Library on Thursday 30th at 3.30pm and one at Solas Bhride on Mon 3rd at 11am. Links as follows:

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/naaslibrary/1538182https://solasbhride.ie/event/the-stones-of-the-hollow-hill-kerdiffstown-park/

The Stones of the Hollow Hill- Kerdiffstown Park – St. Brigid of Kildare

James Winnett is an artist, stone carver and workshop leader interested in the crossovers between sculpture, archaeology, folklore, place and memory. 

James Winnett

The project was commissioned under the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage Per Cent for Art scheme, with additional funding from Kildare County Council for the Kerdiffstown Landfill Remediation Project.