A BEAUTIFUL wooden sculpture created in memory of two former pupils who both died from cancer has been unveiled at an Irvinestown primary school.

Crafted by Jonas Raiskas, originally from Lithuania, the artwork was commissioned by Devenish Parish Priest Canon Michael McGourty as a memorial stone for Gina McCusker and Finn Gillen, both past pupils of St. Paul’s Primary School.
The sculpture forms part of the school’s memorial garden.

Mr Raiskas was also responsible for the spectacular wooden carvings in the Garden of The Celtic Saints and The Famine Memorial in Sacred Heart Church, Irvinestown. 

Speaking on behalf of her pupils, St. Paul’s principal Mrs Shauna Cathcart, offered her most grateful thanks to both Canon McGourty and Mr Raiskas for “this most unique and precious gift”.

She said the children would have access to the memorial garden on a daily basis and the sculpture would provide a “wonderful stimulus” for enriching the curriculum for many years to come.

The sculpture features a carving of a St. Paul’s pupil with both an infinity sign and owl to symbolize wisdom and life-long learning, carvings of places of interest in the local community such as the Devenish Island tower, Marble Arch Caves and Necarne, as well as a selection of animals.

The most striking of these animals are a family of bears as a sign of love and togetherness. There are also squirrels, a majestic eagle, a fish and a bat.

Many of the animals were inspired by Irish mythology and natural wildlife of the land in the past and now.

The amber in the statue is very symbolic of the peace and friendship between Irvinestown and the artist’s home town of Bristonas.