Dun Ailinne sculpture, book, plans

Kilcullen Heritage Group and Kilcullen Community Action are to join forces to combine the official unveiling of the new sculpture at Nicholastown with the Irish launch of the book that reports in detail on the excavations at Dun Ailinne (Knockaulin) in the 60s and 70s.

The sculpture, in the shape of a javelin, has been produced by Noel Scullion and incorporates a feature which uses the sun on the equinoxes to light up a particular part of the edifice.

The Spring equinox next year is scheduled for 21 March, and discussions so far have centered around a number of events which might be held around that date, which also happens to be Good Friday. There is a suggestion that representatives from the other major sites, including Tara, Cruachan, and Emain Macha., will be involved.

It is hoped that Professor Bernard Wailes, who carried out the excavations on the royal site at Dun Ailinne, will be able to come here for the Irish launch of his final report, which was edited by anthropologist Dr Susan Johnston (left) who has also been carrying out surveys on the site in recent times.

Meanwhile an explanatory sign for the sculpture site has been designed by Michelle Ryan of Lui na Greine based on information about Dun Ailinne collated by Des Travers. Sponsored by The Heritage Council, it is now ready for erection.

Brian Byrne.