There is a strong association with the Catholic Church in Ireland and inextricably religious beliefs are ingrained into mindset of destitute people. Equally, weekly visits to the ‘local’ brought distraction and comfort from the daily grind and, as money was in short supply, so too were frequent visits to the local pub. Whiskey drinking was always the favourite pastime and as a consequence illegal distilleries emerged in almost every townland. Too much of this ‘poteen’ and the men would not attend church on Sundays- much to the dismay of the clergy. Many a Sunday sermon included the influence of the ‘devils work’ on these men and this creative piece of bog oak reminds me of an Diabhal. (The Devil)

Approx size: 65 cm (h) x 16 cm (w) x 12 cm (d)