Six stone carvers have been chosen to participate in a six-day stone sculpture symposium on 21-26 May in Clones, Co Monaghan in Ireland. 

Clones is a town renowned for its archaeological heritage, its High Cross, Round Tower, its collection of inscribed eighteenth century headstones and the stone sarcophagus of St.Tighernach. It is the perfect setting for the Stone Symposium, and for this programme of talks examining some of the issues surrounding the conservation of our stone monuments and buildings.

It is hoped to engage the public with natural stone through the work of the carvers who will be producing a sculpture each, inspired by local themes. The public will have a wonderful opportunity to witness their on-going work in the town centre each day. 

The six sculptors taking part in this event are Alison Bole (Smithborough), Barry Wrafter (Ennis), Jason Ellis (Sligo), Marc Kelly (Emyvale), Martha Quinn (Sligo) and Stephen Burke (Dublin).

A programme of conservation talks will be held in the Market House on 24 May, alongside an exhibition of work by the participants in the Stone Symposium and artefacts from the Monaghan County Museum collection. 

It will be of interest to Conservation and Heritage Officers, archaeologists, architects and more broadly to those with an interest in heritage, history, art and the craft of the stone carver. 

The conservation seminar is supported by Monaghan County Council and the Heritage Council.

Admission to the seminar is by registration. Places are limited. Please register by email: themarkethouse@eircom.net or by phone to Sandra Murphy 047 38162.