Thomas Farrell (sculptor)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Farrell was an Irish
sculptor
.
He was born in Mecklenburgh Street (later called Railway Street), Dublin, one of six sons of Terence Farrell, sculptor. He trained as a scuptor in his father's workshops. In 1842 he entered the modelling school of the Royal Dublin Society
and became acquainted with the neoclassical school of John Flaxmann and John Hogan
. His first commission was a monument to Archbishop Daniel Murray in the Pro-Cathedral.
One of the first works that made him prominent was the bas-relief representing the last charge at Waterloo, designed for the Wellington Monument
in the Phoenix Park
. His work was accepted after public competition. Another of his early works was his memorial to Captain John McNeil Boyd in St. Patrick's Cathedral. He entered the competition for the monument to Daniel O'Connell in 1864, but the commission was awarded to John Foley.
His statue of William Smith O'Brien
, the Young Ireland leader, formerly at the head of D'Olier Street, is now in O'Connell Street, as is another statue by him, that of Sir John Gray
, the surgeon and politician who was instrumental in giving Dublin its water supply.
In 1893, Farrell was elected President of the Royal Hibernian Academy
, and the following year he was knighted. He died at his residence, Redesdale House, in Stillorgan, County Dublin.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sculptor
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
.
He was born in Mecklenburgh Street (later called Railway Street), Dublin, one of six sons of Terence Farrell, sculptor. He trained as a scuptor in his father's workshops. In 1842 he entered the modelling school of the Royal Dublin Society
Royal Dublin Society
The Royal Dublin Society was founded on 25 June 1731 to "to promote and develop agriculture, arts, industry, and science in Ireland". The RDS is synonymous with its main premises in Ballsbridge in Dublin, Ireland...
and became acquainted with the neoclassical school of John Flaxmann and John Hogan
John Hogan (sculptor)
John Hogan was one of Ireland's greatest sculptors.Hogan was born on October 14, 1800 in Tallow, Co. Waterford, spent his youth in the city of Cork, Ireland and, in 1812, was placed as clerk to an attorney. Disliking this occupation, he chose to be apprenticed to the architect Sir Thomas Deane,...
. His first commission was a monument to Archbishop Daniel Murray in the Pro-Cathedral.
One of the first works that made him prominent was the bas-relief representing the last charge at Waterloo, designed for the Wellington Monument
Wellington Monument, Dublin
The Wellington Monument is an obelisk located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland.The testimonial is situated at the southeast end of the Park, overlooking Kilmainham and the River Liffey...
in the Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 16 km perimeter wall encloses , one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth...
. His work was accepted after public competition. Another of his early works was his memorial to Captain John McNeil Boyd in St. Patrick's Cathedral. He entered the competition for the monument to Daniel O'Connell in 1864, but the commission was awarded to John Foley.
His statue of William Smith O'Brien
William Smith O'Brien
William Smith O'Brien was an Irish Nationalist and Member of Parliament and leader of the Young Ireland movement. He was convicted of sedition for his part in the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848, but his sentence of death was commuted to deportation to Van Diemen's Land. In 1854, he was...
, the Young Ireland leader, formerly at the head of D'Olier Street, is now in O'Connell Street, as is another statue by him, that of Sir John Gray
John Gray (Irish politician)
Sir John Gray Knt MD JP, sometimes spelled John Grey was an Irish physician, surgeon, newspaper proprietor, journalist and politician...
, the surgeon and politician who was instrumental in giving Dublin its water supply.
In 1893, Farrell was elected President of the Royal Hibernian Academy
Royal Hibernian Academy
The Royal Hibernian Academy is an artist-based and artist-oriented institution in Ireland, founded in Dublin in 1823.-History:The RHA was founded as the result of 30 Irish artists petitioning the government for a charter of incorporation...
, and the following year he was knighted. He died at his residence, Redesdale House, in Stillorgan, County Dublin.