A LONG-AWAITED piece of public art has been raised onto its plinth in the centre of Navan.

The statue of a bull being restrained by two men is finally the centrepiece of Market Square in the Co Meath town. Yesterday, the Daily Mail reported that the piece had caused controversy because it cost a total of €90,000 and prompted a public petition against it. However, a spokesperson for Navan Town Council told TheJournal.ie that the piece had been commissioned ten years ago and ongoing work in fixing up the square had prevented the bull being put into place until now.

Ultimately, the bull is in place now but that hasn’t dampened down local controversy over its impressive heft. The Meath Chronicle quotes Cllr Shane Cassells as welcoming the design by sculptor Colin Grehan as a “striking feature” for the town. Paddy Pryle, who led the petition against the piece, admitted that it is a “fine bit of art”. However, he said that anyone entering the square from a certain aspect would be “entering Navan via the bull’s arse”.

Navan Town Council point out that the bull is appropriate for its location – it is slap bang in a square which was the focus of market activity in a market town.

We decided here at TheJournal.ie to give those of you who don’t live or pass through Navan a chance to check out the bull for yourself. What do you think – a load of bull or a work of art? (Images courtesy of Barry Cronin)