The monument is an impression of the spéir bhean, created in 1940 by Seamus Murphy. Commemorated are the four great Kerry poets - Piaras Feiritéar, Séafraidh Ó Donnchadha, Aodhagán Ó Rathaille and Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin.
The spéir bhean (lit. sky woman) is a representation of Ireland often found found in poems called aisling (which means dream or vision). She generally despairs at the state of Ireland, and foretells of better times to come.
Pandemic or not, these are the better times, so let's enjoy them the best we can.
Piaras Feiritéar (Pierce Ferriter) - hanged across the road in 1653, along side his brother-in-law Fr. Tadhg Moriarty (see GC6QT1E for more of his story). The present day Friary is built on the aptly named Martyrs hill. Piaras was recognised as a folk hero and hailed from West Kerry (or Corca Dhuibhne). There is also a memorial plaque to be found to him in Muckross Abbey.
Séafraidh Ó Donnchadha (Geoffrey O'Donoghue) - Poet and head of the O'Donghues of Glenflesk. The ruins of the family seat at Killaha Castle can be seen passing Glenflesk on the road to Cork
Aodhagán Ó Rathaille (Aogán O'Rahilly)- Born in the nearby Sliabh Luachra area of East Kerry he is the foremost of all the poets. Creator of the aisling form, his poems mirror the upheaval of 17th century Irish society. He was one of the last, if not the last, of the Irish ollamh - an esteemed Irish poetic status, akin to professor or judge. His loss of patronage and resulting destitution parallel the death of the old Irish traditions and the near extinction of the Irish language. He is buried in Muckross Abbey and his cultural influence echoes to this day.
Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin (Owen Roe O'Sullivan) - Again from Sliabh Luachra and master of the aisling verse , he was both reckless and luckless, and more's the pity - his life story is a wild one. He had red hair so we have Eoghan Rua (rua = red). He worked as a spailpín (itinerant labourer) and in him we have the original 'Playboy of the Western World'.
The sign beside the monument transcribes the Gaelic inscription and is probably easier to read for most.
Like any urban setting, stealth is required. Small so BYOP. Ar aghaigh leat!
