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Kildare > Arts > Book Launch - "Preacher in Stone"

Book Launch - Preacher in Stone

Riverbank Arts Centre in Association with Gandon Editions
2.30 pm on Sunday 9th November 2003
at Newbridge College, Co Kildare


Riverbank Arts Centre in association with Gandon Editions is delighted to announce the launch of the recently published Preacher in Stone, a book on the work of the Dominican Sculptor, Henry Flanagan OP. Senator Fergal Quinn will officially launch the book on Sunday 9th November at 2.30 pm at Newbridge College, Co Kildare.

The publication of this monograph represents the culmination of much hard work and considerable dedication by a large number of people, in particular the inspiring and tireless efforts of Sr Maureen Flanagan (Henry’s sister) and his pupil and protegé, the sculptor Annette McCormack. Neither ever let go of the idea that Henry Flanagan deserved a record befitting his talent and his integrity, and it is largely thanks to their commitment and persistence that this book has finally been produced.

Henry Flanagan was born in Dublin in 1918 and attended the Christian Brothers’ school in North Richmond Street, before joining the Dominicans in 1936. He was ordained in 1943, and in 1945 joined Newbridge College, where he taught English history, art and music.

His first attempts at sculpting were undertaken when he was still a teenager. He spent short periods studying, but was largely self-taught. In addition to his successes as a sculptor, Fr Flanagan was an avid musician and a musical empresario, and often declared music to be his first love. He retired from teaching in 1983, but continued to sculpt, play the organ, and conduct the Aquinas Singers – a choir he founded in the early 1980s. He died on 26th April 1992 and is buried in the Dominican plot in Kilbelin cemetery, Newbridge.

Preacher in Stone is a beautifully produced book, with a broad range of Henry Flanagan’s work illustrating texts by Martin Gale, Brian Fallon and Raymond O’Donavan OP which deal with the artist’s life and work. Details of most of his work located in public places is also included, as well as a text written by Henry himself entitled, The Sculptor’s Approach, outlining his own particular outlook as an artist and sculptor.

Riverbank Arts Centre gratefully acknowledges the generosity of all of those who sponsored this publication: Prior Provincial OP, St Mary’s, Tallaght; Dominican Community, Droichead Nua; Dominican Sisters, Cabra; Dominican Community, Athy; Senator Fergal Quinn, Mr Ian Doolan; Mr Brendan Graham; Mr Joe Brennan; Mrs Evelyn Dowling; Rev Sean O’Doherty PP, Durrow; Past Pupils Union of Newbridge College, as well as the ongoing support of Kildare County Council and The Arts Council/An Comhairle Ealaíon.

For further information, please contact Catríona at Riverbank Arts Centre
Tel. (045) 448314, artscentre@riverbank.ie

Please Send all queries to info@kildare.ie
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