OUR HISTORY

Fellow artists Brian Scott-McCarthy and Kathleen Smyth founded the Wild Goose Studio in 1970.  Together with other leading Irish artists, they created a unique range of artefacts that take their inspiration from our rich cultural heritage and the contemporary world.  Each piece starts with an inspiring thought, an image or an emotion and is given a physical form by our craftspeople.

OUR CRAFTMANSHIP

It all starts with the marriage of an idea or meaning with an image. One of our artists will then carve that image into a sculpted piece which becomes the original from which we create a mould so we can faithfully reproduce the image in full detail.  The production process itself starts with metal powders such as bronze or cast iron which form the outer surface of the finished piece and the inner is created from a cold cast pouring.  Once the piece is set, we polish it to reveal the beauty hidden beneath.


OUR INSPIRATION

Our inspiration comes from myriad different sources. Many of our pieces reflect our Celtic history with its stone carvings and evocative language, others are inspired by contemporary authors, philosophers, and the moments and milestones in life that shape our human experience.


Drumcliff High Cross

Exploring the history, meaning and significance of the famous High Cross in County Sligo and its connection to the great Irish poet, W.B. Yeats.

Newgrange Triple Spiral

Discover what lies behind this beautiful enigmatic 5,000 year old carving at Ireland’s great prehistoric monument Newgrange, the passage tomb in the Boyne Valley in County Meath, which is older than the pyramids.

Celtic Cross of Journeys and Meetings

Known locally as the Marigold Stone, this standing stone from Carndonagh in County Donegal records the arrival of Christianity in the area but its origins pre-date this momentous event.

St Patrick’s Cross

Take a look at the long history and rich symbolism of the earliest of Ireland’s great high crosses, St Patrick’s Cross in Carndonagh, County Donegal.

St Brigid’s Cross

The tradition of weaving a cross from reeds on St Brigid’s Day, 1st February, as a way of protecting the home is one that continues in rural Ireland to this day.

St Brendan’s Boat

Standing in a field overlooking Bantry Bay, this remarkable ancient carved stone is thought to celebrate St Brendan’s voyage across the Atlantic.

Donn Darach

Find out about the old Irish crafts and folk traditions which are the inspiration behind Donn Darach, a range of pieces carved on wood.