'Mad' sculpture makes its way to border of Kilkenny and Carlow

An eye-catching wooden sculpture of The Mad Sweeney (Buile Shuibhne) has made its way down to St Mullin's, on the border of Carlow and Kilkenny.

The sculpture is inspired by a medieval Irish tale about Suibhne mac Colmáin, King of the Dál nAraidi, who was driven insane by the curse of Saint Rónán Finn. 

Eventually, after seven years of wandering, Suibhne arrived at 'The House of St. Moling', i.e. Teach Moling (St Mullin's) in County Carlow, and Moling sheltered him after hearing the madman's story.

Moling's herder eventually went on to kill Suibhne after believing malicious hearsay about the him having a tryst with his wife, thrusting a spear into Suibhne while he was drinking.

He was said to have been buried in St Mullin's.

Sculpted by Tommy Kelly of Bevel Wood Working School, Fethard-on-Sea, the statue will now be greeting visitors in the picturesque village he is so closely associated with.