'Incredibly brave' Leitrim sculptor's final piece unveiled in US after his death

A Celtic high cross has been unveiled in Portland, Oregon, and dedicated to the North Leitrim sculptor who began it before his death.

The cross, which was started by Brendan McGloin before he died in 2025, was finished by a group of North Leitrim Sculptures.

In 2024, McGloinn was commissioned to create a large Celtic cross for George Fox University in Portland, Oregon.

Brendan was given a free hand, inspired by the northwest and the 10th-century high cross that stands in Drumcliff in Sligo. The cross was made of sandstone from Mount Charles in Donegal.

However, McGloin was suffering from Cancer at the time, and eventually passed before he could finish the project himself.

The project was eventually finished by a group of local sculptors, Seamus Dunbar, Jackie McKeana, along with Martha Quinn, and Brendan’s brother Francis and sister Geraldine.

“He was incredibly brave and positive,” said Seamus Dunbar, speaking to the Observer from Portland, where he was attending the dedication of the cross, and was one of the sculptors to finish the cross.

“He had tremendous energy and a real zest for life. So he wasn't given into it in any way, but unfortunately it did catch up with him eventually.”

Seamus Dunbar had a special connection to Brendan, as he, alongside fellow North Leitrim sculptor Jackie McKenna, was his sculpting teacher in his youth; because of that connection, they put up their hands and said they would finish the project for him.

Alongside his family, they set off trying to bring to life Brendan’s final project in his workshop in Kinlough. As they went through his drawing, some of his ideas were clear, and others were more difficult to decipher.

The cross depicts the story of Christianity and Christ's resurrection, with images from throughout the bible adorning it. Brendan himself, as a stone mason, appears on one

“He left us a few puzzles,” said Seamus.

“It was a labour of love; I mean, we just felt kind of Brendan was with us really every step of the way because we were in his workshop; we were thinking of him all the time”

“We'd almost be asking him, you know, what was going on here, Brendan and what had you in your mind.”

A lot of work went into the project with everyone lending a hand. They worked through the winter and spring and finished carving in May of this year before it was transported to the starts in June.

Seamus went to the States in September alongside Brendan’s brother Francis to oversee the erection of the stone cross at its new home.

He says it has been well received at the Quaker college, where “It's not just an ornament” but represents something deeply connected to their beliefs and honours the Irish who immigrate to the area.

“We can finally say to Brendan, well, we've done the job for you; we've got it across the line.”