Eternal Market Day

The streetscape of Ennis was enhanced dramatically this week with the installation of Market Day in the historic Market Street area.
Ennis Sculpture Initiative specially commissioned the piece, which was crafted by Ennis artist Barry Wrafter and depicts a market scene from a bygone age.
Barry said, “it is the market area of town, hence the theme of the sculpture. It is where livestock, along with other produce, was traded in the past”.
The sculpture features two farmers and a cow and has been situated on the roundabout in the market. It is more than life size in height and volume, with the taller figure standing seven feet six inches tall.
“To flesh out the story of this sculpture in more detail, it is two men of the land meeting on some fine day in the past to come to an agreement on the purchase of a cow. This is the moment in time literally set in stone that the deal is made the way deals were made back then with the gesture to spit on the hand and then a firm handshake and always with the right hand,” Wrafter said.
He added that the figure standing on the right, which is the taller of the two, is a man who is more confident in himself.
“He has a more open pose and has big broad hands and a smug look on his face. He is full of personality and character. This is the reason for the face of wisdom like a bird of prey with his big beak nose. By his side is his trusty sheepdog who follows him everywhere because as everyone knows animals can sense the good nature in people.
“The figure on the left is then on the opposite side of the spectrum, he is a shorter, rounder man with a weaker character, his arms and hands are more feeble and he wears his flat cap to hide his baldness.
“The smaller man has small man issues so he is like a terrier who tries to make up for his small stature with a big bark but no one is listening, so he tries to put on a show by making a deal with the bigger man, in the bigger league,” he added.
Barry explained that both figures were made with careful consideration to show both as characters, people that can be seen in everyday life.
“As for the cow she is standing up on her hooves with her neck outstretched bellowing out up the market in full voice; maybe she knows she is moving onto greener pastures. I have carved her with a full stomach so she is in calf and animated her as much as possible,” he explained.
“Her slender muscles are straining at every tendon as she stands up to call to the wild. I chose to have her eyes closed and I have even given her eyelashes and a nice hairstyle for that feminine look. These are all little details that make this sculpture unique and make it distinctly my style.”
Noel Crowley of Ennis Sculpture Initiative said the group is “delighted” with the sculpture. He explained that since Icarus had been moved the group had planned to erect another piece in its place and for this they came up with an idea of having a cultural scene.
“I was delighted to hear the reaction when it went in on Tuesday. There was the odd negative comment but there were a lot of positive comments. People were taking photos and it was only in an hour. It will be great to see it this Saturday when all the stalls are there and I think it will really come alive. It is great to have that piece done. It has taken longer than anticipated but it is there now and will be forever more bringing life to the market,” Mr Crowley said.
He acknowledged the support of Ennis Town Council, Eddie Power, Niall O’Keefe and Tommy Scott, as well as all those who helped with the installation.
Leonard Cleary, Ennis town clerk, congratulated Ennis Sculpture Initiative on the new sculpture on behalf of the mayor and Ennis Town Council.
“It is very important that the Ennis community facilitates a space for the creative sector to express the culture and heritage of Ennis. In these challenging economic times, the creative and artistic sector has much to contribute to the building of the social and economic fabric of Ennis and County Clare,” he said.
Ennis Town Council has provided funding on an annual basis in the local authority budget towards the Ennis Sculpture Initiative.
“Despite it being a very difficult economic environment currently, Ennis Town Council still needs to maintain a cultural role and to place a certain emphasis on that aspect of the local authority function. The sculpture is there for locals and visitors to enjoy,” he said.
The town clerk acknowledged Ennis Town Council staff who prepared the site and he also congratulated Barry Wrafter.
“It is fantastic that local Ennis talent has been brought to the fore in this very engaging and focal point sculpture,” he concluded.