Chainsaw artist transforms dead trees into wildlife sculptures at Cork’s Regional Park
From dead trees, new life springs.
Inspired by the River Lee and native Irish wildlife, a chainsaw artist is transforming two dead elm trees at the entrance to one of Cork’s biggest public parks into stunning wooden sculptures.
Will Fogarty, the Fear na Coillte from Hospital, Co. Limerick, has been commissioned by Cork City Council to work on the project near the Inniscarra entrance to the Regional Park in Ballincollig.
“The trees both passed away. Nothing lasts forever but at least I’m here giving them a new lease of life. Hopefully they will last for years,” he said.
Mr Fogarty has spent the last three weeks carving various river and woodland creatures, all found in and around the park, from the dead tree trunks. Using scaffolding, he has been able to work on the higher sections of the trees.
The nearby River Lee provided the inspiration for the first tree, which now features a grey heron perched atop, alongside a leaping salmon, with an otter chasing its lunch down the trunk, while more salmon swim up the far side.
Birds and woodland creatures feature in the second tree, with a barn owl in full flight alongside a mallard, while work is still underway to carve a fox, rabbit, and woodpecker in the lower areas of the trunk.
“It’s an amazing park. They tell me they get about 1.2m visitors through here every year so it’s just huge. It’s a great facility and hopefully these trees will add something to it,” Will said.
You can follow his work on Instagram here: @will_fogarty_fear_na_coillte.
