Legend has it that Molaga, a 6th, century holyman, who founded the monastery at Timoleague, tried different locations for his church, but what was built by day, fell by night. He placed a lighted candle on a sheaf of corn and set it afloat on the waters of the river Argideen. Tigh Molaige (the house of Molage) was built where the sheaf floated ashore, or on near the site of the friary. | Tigh Molaige (or Tigh Molaga) is a large piece of sculptured oak and consists of three separate sections or elements. The central and largest section is a sheaf of wheat. The wheat is surmounted by the flames of a candle, and it sits on three curved scrolls. The three elements of the sculpture are directly connected to the local folklore and history. Tigh Molaige (or the House of Molaige) is the Irish for Timolegue, the village where the sculpture is sited. It refers to the Franciscan monastery set up by St. Molaga in the seventh century. After a fruitless search for a suitable site on which to build his church, he chose the location for his monastery by placing a candle on a sheaf of wheat and letting it float down the Argideen river. It came to rest at Timoleague. The third element of the sculpture, the scrolls, refer to the movement or waves of the river. Although the large monastery was destroyed in 1642 by an English army commanded by Lord Forbes, it is still a very important ruin and well worth a visit. To the left of the sculpture is a copper plaque giving the interpretation of the sculpture. It includes an image of the sheaf of wheat and a lighted candle. The sculptor is Alex Pentek. It was installed in 2000, under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. Location: at the junction of Mill and main Street, conveniently situated opposite Madden’s public house and next door to the Abbey Bar, Timoleague. A West Cork Sculpture Trail (Part Three) – West Cork People – October 4 – October 31 |
As good a reason as any for a blog entry.