Castlebar and German twin town explore Peace Tree sculpture
Artist Cathal McCarthy presents proposal to newly appointed Höchstadt Mayor Alexander Schulz
A proposed sculpture celebrating peace and friendship between Castlebar and its German twin town of Höchstadt has been presented to the town’s newly appointed mayor.
Sculptor Cathal McCarthy presented his concept for Friedensbaum (Peace Tree) to Mayor Alexander Schulz at a reception hosted by Mayo County Council at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar.
The presentation was held at the invitation of Mayo County Council and attended by Ann Moore, head of Castlebar Municipal District, representing the council, Maria Carey of Davitt College and German journalist Johanna Blum.
The proposed sculpture aims to create a lasting symbol of friendship, mutual understanding and shared European values, building on the longstanding twinning relationship between Castlebar and Höchstadt.
The project also offers the potential for a collaborative public art initiative involving young people and both communities.
McCarthy outlined how the developing concept could give physical form to the values underpinning the relationship between the two towns, using contemporary sculpture to connect communities, cultures and generations.
The proposal builds on existing cultural and educational links between Davitt College in Castlebar and Realschule Höchstadt, which have helped maintain connections between students in Ireland and Germany.
Through a shared creative process, the Peace Tree project could provide an opportunity for students to explore themes including peace, friendship, identity and belonging in a modern European context.
McCarthy’s public art practice frequently brings communities together through collaboration and engagement with place. The proposed work reflects the potential for sculpture to serve as more than a physical artwork, becoming a focus for shared experiences and community connections.
The involvement of local authority representatives, educational partners and the media highlights the project’s potential to strengthen cultural and civic links between the two towns.
The Castlebar–Höchstadt twinning relationship provides a foundation for the initiative, which seeks to promote international friendship and cooperation through a shared artistic project.
Further information is available at Cathal McCarthy’s website.