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Raising a Monument to Brian Boru
February 17th, 2012 by Paul O'Brien
Photos of a rough model have been crafted and our hope is to unveil a monument to Brian Boru during the commemorations of the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf in April 2014.
The O’Brien Clan Foundation is working with Texas Pastor Terrell O’Brien, accomplished monumental sculptor, famous for his statue of Rev. Billy Graham, to honor Brian Boru.
To do that, we need your help to raise the funds required to deal with permits, permission, approvals, etc. from the local authorities as well as the cost of the statue itself.
Brian, the Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill, made himself King of Munster and subjugated Leinster, making himself ruler of the south of Ireland. He is the founder of the O’Brien dynasty.
We know from our study of history that Brian Boru was about 73 years old on Good Friday, 1014, so it was his oldest son, and not he, who lead the Irish legions into the battle while the aging High King prayed in his tent. We further understand that Brian Boru gave a rousing address the assembled troops from horseback before the bloody battle with a cross in one hand and a sword in the other. This is the moment, described in the Annals of Innisfallen, that we wish to memorialize with a classic equestrian statue.
Click here to learn more about the monument or contribute to the fund now
13 Responses to “Raising a Monument to Brian Boru”
March 20th, 2012 at: 12:37 pm
Some initial thoughts:
Nice statue. I’m just a little concerned about what our Jewish or Muslim countrymen and women might think given that you propose that he carry a cross. Smacks of ‘Crusade’ to me!
It’s also a little ‘victorian’ in style… dated… hardly inspirational.
Self-serving for an O’Brien, but what of the rest of us? Or even us descendents of the Norse and the Danes?
Spend your money elsewhere. Join us at ‘The Gathering’ next year.
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March 20th, 2012 at: 3:13 pm
“Be not dismayed my soldiers, because my son Donough is avenging our wrongs in Leinster; he will return victorious, and in the glory of his conquests you shall share.
On your valor rests the hopes of your country today; and what surer grounds can they rest upon?
Oppression now attempts to bend you down to servility; will you burst its chains and rise to the independence of Irish freemen? Your cause is one approved by Heaven.
You seek not the oppression of others; you fight for your country and sacred altars. It is a cause that claims heavenly protection. In this day’s battle the interposition of that God who can give victory will be singularly manifested in your favor.
Let every heart, then, be the throne of confidence and courage. You know that the Danes are strangers to religion and humanity; they are inflamed with the desire of violating the fairest daughters of this land of beauty, and enriching themselves with the spoils of sacrilege and plunder.
The barbarians have impiously fixed, for their struggle, to enslave us, upon the very day on which the Redeemer of the world was crucified. Victory they shall not have! from such brave soldiers as you they can never wrest it; for you fight in defense of honor, liberty and religion-in defense of the sacred temples of the true God, and of your sisters, wives and daughters. Such a holy cause must be the cause of God, who will deliver your enemies this day into your hands. Onward, then, for your country and your sacred altars!”
~Brien Boru H.K.I.
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March 20th, 2012 at: 5:26 pm
Thanks for the compliment, we think it’s a nice statue too! Your sensitivity about the feelings of Muslims and Jewish people is noteworthy and important to consider. However, as we are not offended by the Stars of David or Crescents which some of our neighbors and friends are wont to display, we hope that our depiction of Brian Boru, an 11th. century Christian monarch, is a faithful representation of the moment when he rode through the lines of troops before the Battle of Clontarf on Good Friday in the year 1014, with a drawn sword in one hand, and a crucifix in the other. Texas Pastor Terrell O’Brien’s heart, mind, and soul have worked through his artful fingers to summon the spirit of Brian Boru from the mists of time to inspire us anew, and unite us again! If Ireland had been in control of her own destiny in the 1800′s, as she did during the enlightened reign of Brian Boru she would have adorned her public spaces with Irish heroes. The gathering of the Clans under the scarlet banner of the O’Briens to honor Brian Boru and the men who fought under him will rival “The Gathering” of 2013″, which is enthusiastically supported by the O’Briens.
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Richard O'Brien Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 10:16 am
I’m not sure Brian Boru was a Papist. I believe he may have descended from the Christian sect that had originally followed the teachings of St. Patrick, who was not a Papist. The Roman Catholic Church has by no means been a friend to the Irish people in their times of trouble.
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James O'Neill O'Brien Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Brian Boru, a devout Roman Catholic, was assassinated while praying on Good Friday 1014, had been recognized by the Church as High King of Ireland, and Emperor of the Irish, hundreds of years before the term “Papist” was coined, which was also a millennium after St. Patrick, who was made a bishop and sent to Ireland by the Pope, lived. This website is not intended for debates about religion, as the far flung descendants of Brian Boru are of many faiths, belief systems, and philosophies.
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March 21st, 2012 at: 2:23 pm
Dear James,
I run a small museum of Dublin on St Stephen’s Green and am interested in talking to you about your statue. I’m happy to call you if you give me your number, or indeed feel free to call the museum: 353 1 661 1000.
Best wishes,
Trevor
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March 21st, 2012 at: 9:11 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV7fPo3Z718
You Have My Blessings
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April 8th, 2012 at: 2:36 pm
Nice statue. Very impressive. On the issue of the cross. Many modern Irish are Jews Muslims and of other religions. While the cross on the statue is important in the historical context at the time, its very important to show that a figure such as Brian Boru belongs to all Irish regards of their religious believes.
Please don’t get me wrong, the cross would be appropriate on a statue of a Christian Martyr or Saint. However I feel perhaps some other symbol would be better. Mind you as to what that symbol could be who knows.
Also a point about the sword. That particular model of sword was not in use in Ireland untill after the year 1520 and although widely used in Ireland originated in the west Highlands of Scotland.
There are no shortage of huge double handed swords that were produced in Ireland (although in Brain Boru’s time the Irish only used one handed swords but one understands the impressive impact of a great two handed swords).
The Irish two handed swords used by the Irish often had straight quallons and ring shaped pomels and there are plenty of photos of these on the internet. The design of these “Claymores” were just as impressive of the particular Scots Highland design used in the statue model.
Nevertheless cross or not and Scots Highland sword or Irish sword the statue is very very impressive and will look very impressive when finished.
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April 10th, 2012 at: 4:16 am
[...] to carry out the project. A photograph of a rough model he is working on is viewable at obrienclan.com/raising-a-monument-to-brian-boru. The scheme is simple: We will pay for the statue, and its erection, and hopefully the Office of [...]
April 11th, 2012 at: 4:37 pm
Rory:
Thanks for the compliments, we love the statue too! Brian Boru, an 11th. century Catholic High King of the Irish, addressed his troops on the eve of morning of the Battle of Clontarf on horseback, carrying a sword on one hand and a crucifix in the other. The statue simply, and elegantly, depicts an historical event, documented in the Annals of Inisfallen, so, with respect to your concerns about the imagined sensitivities of other religious groups to this imagery, I would say there is no issue at all. Brian Boru’s sublime achievements are an inspiration in all times to all peoples, regardless of the faiths or nationalities. As regards the sword, Brian Boru not only had a two handed “hewing sword” over five feet log, he used to kill one hundred men in battle during a single day of combats. I am surprised to read that it took the Scots so long to start using them!
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May 6th, 2012 at: 6:41 pm
Thanks for replying however the style of claymore that Boru is holding was first used in the Scottish Highlands around 1520. That particular design also became popular in Ireland and may have been manufactured in Ireland. However there are earlier styles of claymore dating from the 1200s (similar to the design used in the film Braveheart.) There were also claymore which were unique to Ireland. Which were longer double handed versions of the famous Irish ring sword. There are plenty of examples of these to be found on the internet.
Once more the statue will look superb.
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May 6th, 2012 at: 8:00 pm
Thank you for your comment. This hewing sword was used as early as the 11th. century in Ireland by Brian Boru himself, who is said to have killed 100 men in a single day of combat using it.
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May 9th, 2012 at: 3:58 am
I’m not into armoury per say, I am an Olympic style fencer, but to that end is my knowledge. As for ancient swords . . . what I do like in the sword used in the sculpture is that it is in the style of the assumed Brian Boru sword. If the goal is to make the statue be one of inspiration then I think this style of sword is more impressive then the common 36″ typical Norse type sword of that period. To me this sword is okay. What I also like is the fact that Brian’s saddle doesn’t have stirrups since the Anglo-Normans brought them some 160 years later and one of the reasons why they could brace themselves with the lance. I also like that his crown is a simple ringlet. And wonderful that he doesn’t have a beard, supposedly the nobles wore long mustaches, but no beards. I’d like a mustache but no biggie. I like the statue design, it is a great moment to memorialize.
If in some way I gave false information concerning the sword I’m sorry. May I ask for your source?
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