Tree of Remembrance – War Memorial

Commissioned by St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin to commemorate the lives lost during the First World War, 1914 – 1918. Unveiled July 2014 on the Centenary of the outbreak of the ‘Great War.’

The Tree of Remembrance, was commissioned by St. Patrick’s Cathedral to commemorate the memory of all those who lost their lives during the First World War. A collaborative design conceptualised through the close collaboration of Andrew Smith Education Officer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Bushy Park Ironworks.

The piece measuring over 5.5 metres in height was officially unveiled on 28th July 2014, one hundred years to the day that the “great war” began. Its abstract design is a poignant reminder of the scarred landscape of the Western Front trenches and the futility of war while fulfilling an important interactive function whereby visitors can remember loved ones by hanging messages on the barbed wire that form part of the piece.

“For many years we have had a close working relationship with St. Patrick’s Cathedral so when they approached us with a brief to create something to commemorate the start of the First World War we we’re extremely excited by the prospect.

Already in existence in St. Patrick’s Cathedral are commemorative plaques and regimental colours that bear witness to the battles fought by various regiments on behalf of the British Crown. The new commission needed to draw together these existing elements that were fixed to the walls of the Cathedral leaving as it were,” a void at their centre”.

An initial concept considered forging hundreds of poppies in various metals however, it was felt that this symbolism was one sided and our memorial had to include all.

It was felt that any alternative concept needed to be immediately recognisable and thus we focused our minds on one of the most indelible images from the First World War, that of trench warfare. With this focus, we conceptualised a piece that we felt evoked the memory of that time; the isolation of no-man’s land, the desolation of the landscape and the intransigence of the battles depicted by twisted barb wire supported on steel posts. With the incorporation of the barb wire, we then realised that “life, relevancy and purpose” could be brought to the installation by encouraging visitors to write personal messages to family members and friends lost in any conflict and pinning them to the strands of barb wire. “

Edward Bisgood – Bushy Park Ironworks – July 2014.

See the Irish Times review here

“Lives Remembered” – War Memorial
Our Project Team: Eoin McDonagh and Tony Murphy
Completion: 3 months
Weight: 700 kg
Dimensions: 5.5 m high x 2 m wide
Material: Forged steel
Finishes: Acid etched, Burnish & Waxed