Description
Take a walk through this riverside Eden, where sculptures invite you to shed your inhibitions and have some fun. A wild wonderland designed to evoke action on the part of the viewer…that is, playful interaction with the sculptures. Enticing serious adults and kids to let loose. By the end of the walk, I was playing a match of speed chess on a life-sized board, jumping up and down wildly to deter the midges. Oh, and I was smiling.
Artist-designer Sheena Wood and writer Kurt Lyndorff first opened their garden in 1994 on the Mizen peninsula. They moved from the sea to the rugged glen of Glengarriff in 2004, built a new sculpture garden, gallery, and home.
The sculptures are life affirming and positive creations, each with its own message. The artist seems to look at the world like it’s a playground. She invites us to as well. There is an Edible Art Café where you can eat a specially designed sundae with four “totally titanic” toppings atop “seriously seismic strawberry, wildly indulgent chocolate, or very naughty vanilla.” The café sign says, “please don’t hesitate to beckon us. There’s no one in the café.” I feel like I’m in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and loving it.
The focus is to get you involved, whether playing or creating. There are dishes of handmade beads at a make-your-own bracelet and necklace station. You can also build your own sculpture. They host junk sculpture making workshops for kid, too. For adults…maybe.
How to get there
By car:
From Glengarriff, take N71 north three miles toward Kenmare.
From Kenmare, take N71 south to three miles outside Glengarriff.
By bus:
See www.buseireann.ie website for all current travel details and restrictions.
Opening times
Summer open daily 10AM to 6PM, or by appointment.
Admission Fees
Adult 6.50 euro
Child 5.00 euro
Family 20.00 euro (2+2)
Entrance fee supports environmental charities and The Irish Heart Foundation.
Address
The Ewe Gallery and Sculpture Garden
Kenmare Road, Glengarriff
West Cork, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)27 63840
Email: art@theewe.com
Web: www.theewe.com