Unveiling of Bog Oak Sculpture in Camross

Peter Dooley our local artist, examines our connection with the Oak tree- “The Noble of The Wood”. In ancient times this area was covered in oak woodlands and our village of Camross actually means “Crooked Wood” as Gaeilge!
Research in 1932 by Helen Roe, the first Laois County Librarian, speaks to the enduring association of trees to the Camross area in its evocative place names, Field of the Wood, Rough Oak Wood and Oakwood of the Freeman, to list a few.
Little now remains of these ancient oak woodlands with many felled to fuel local iron foundries (17th &18th Century) and provide timber for shipbuilding for the British Navy.
Bog oak has been harvested from our local bogs, proof the primeval oak forests once stood in our locality.
Peter has created a sculpture for our community garden using bog oak that has been saved from a local bog. The Sculpture will be a focal point in the garden, creating an opportunity to explore an aspect of our heritage that has been forgotten. Reminding people of the ancient woodlands that were once in our locality and linking it to present times where we must protect our native Irish trees, our biodiversity, while also mitigating climate change.

Camross Tidy Town group now add another dimension to our quest to venerate the oak tree- to help preserve our heritage, honour our past, while looking forward.
Project funded by a Heritage Through Art grant 2025 from Laois Co Council

Meet in car park behind the Poets Cottage and walk to the Community Garden located at the back of the Community Park. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.