Cashel Man – Cashel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

In February 2026 Eddie Deevy contacted me. Eddie is Chairman of Laois Friends, a charity that creates social and recreational opportunities for people with additional needs, their families and friends. Their flagship project is Rockview Walkways situated at Cashel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Laois Friends were commencing the construction of a new entrance and car-park to the Rockview Walkway and Rambling House which is situated literally across the road from Cashel Bog. In August 2001, a Bord Na Mona employee, while harvesting peat on Cashel Bog,  discovered the world’s oldest fleshed bog body dating back over 4000 years old and was named Cashel Man. Laois Friends, as part of Heritage Week 2026, decided to mark and commemorate the local discovery of Cashel Man with a bog oak sculpture and asked me to submit a proposal.

We were fortunately successful and really grateful to be associated with this unique commemoration, particularly given the direct connection between bog woods and bog bodies and the phenomenal preservation qualities of the bog.