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.

Photos of a rough model have been crafted and our hope is to unveil the monument to Brian Boru during the commemorations of the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf in April 2014.

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. By raising the funds, we hope to avoid the delays intrinsic to a City or State funded project, where a a design contest, open bidding, etc. are often required in such a project.

Their ranks had been formed before daylight, and as the sun rose, Brian rode through the lines of his soldiers with a crucifix in one hand, and a drawn sword in the other; he reminded them of the day selected by the pagan invader to offer battle, and exhorted them to conquer or die. Standing in the center of his army, and raising his powerful voice, his speech was worthy of so great a king and so good a man: “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 singly 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 Redemmer 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!” ( From Annals of Innisfallen, Mooney, p436)

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 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, like the one of Marcus Aurelius in Rome.

Click here to contribute to the funds needed to raise the monument

Sculptor, Pastor Terrell O’Brien

A native of the United States, Texas, and transplanted to Wyoming in 1996, Terrell O’Brien has been a professional sculptor for over 25 years. October, 2008, Terrell returned to Texas, with a passion for the American West to continue his work with subject matter wild, lifelike, and figurative.

Coming from the ranch country of West Texas, the life and times of the American Cowboy are of particular interest to him. Terrell’s years in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming have kindled a love for wild life. “I have always enjoyed the outdoors and count it a special privilege to portray what I love in my art.”

Terrell is a founding member of the National Western Artist Association, as well as a member and past president of the Texas Cowboy Artists Association. In 1984 he was Texas Cowboy Artist of the Year.

Make your donation here to see Brian Boru raised in 2014