92
83
F.E. McWilliam RUA ARA (1909-1992)
Princess Macha (1957)
Bronze, 47 x 26.5 x 20cm (18½ x 10½ x 8”)
Numbered 3/3
Exhibited: Inaugural Exhibition “
McWilliam at Banbridge
” September 2008 - February 2009, to celebrate
the opening of the F.E. McWilliam Museum, which then travelled to The Highlanes Gallery
Drogheda March - April 2009;
“
A Celebration of Irish Art and Modernism
”,The Ava Gallery, Clandeboye, June - September
2011, Cat. No. 33, full page illustration p.42
Literature: Alan Roberts “
Tatler and Bystander
” 12th Nov 1958
“
F.E. Mc William at Banbridge”
2008 by Dr Denise Ferran Illustrated P 56
“
The Sculpture of F.E. Mc William
“ By Dr Denise Ferran and Valerie Holman
Page 121 Cat. No. 154 (illustrated)
In 1956, F.E. McWilliam was commissioned to make a bronze sculpture of Princess Macha to stand outside
the entrance to Britain’s first National Health Hospital, situated at Altnagelvin a few miles outside Derry,
which was opened to the public in February 1960.The details of the subject, the Celtic goddess, Macha, were
stipulated by the Northern Ireland Hospital’s Authority. Macha was reputed to have founded the first hospital
in Ireland at Emain Macha in 300BC. A dove, a symbol of St Colmcille who built Derry’s first infirmary at his
monastery in the 6th century, sits on one of her hands and of course also symbolises Peace.
At first the piece caused a public outcry but it later became a talisman for the hospital, greatly loved by patients,
visitors and staff alike.The hospital was designed by the architect Eugene Rosenberg who was later to become
a close friend and patron of Mc William.
€15,000 - 25,000
