The Stones of the Hollow Hill
The Stones of the Hollow Hill are a series of 18 carved stones by artist James Winnett that can be found at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas, County Kildare, Ireland. The carvings on the stones tell a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill.
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire. The character of Brigid references traditions connected to both Brigid the goddess of pre-Christian Ireland and Saint Brigid. The character of Fionn draws on the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great warrior of Irish mythology who is said to have lived nearby on the Hill of Allen.
The carvings tell of Brigid and Fionn’s journey through a landscape punctuated by several hills that each have their own rich mythological connections. Some of these are visible from the park. The story imagines the hill of Kerdiffstown Park, ‘the Hollow Hill’ as a sídhe – a mysterious subterranean Otherworld that is home to Kerdiff the Giant.
The artwork also references the 2011 fire at the site which burnt underground for a month, as well as broader themes around waste, climate crisis and healing.
A supporting text and video version of the story which can be used as a guide to the carvings are available here: https://kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/KerdiffstownPark/ArtTrail/
Guide booklets and bi-lingual activity booklets for the project are available here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JamesWinnett
The project was commissioned under the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage Per Cent for Art scheme, with additional funding from Kildare County Council for the Kerdiffstown Landfill Remediation Project.
