Waterford medieval statues of oak and alabaster are to be restored by The National Gallery of Ireland.
In order to secure the safety of the carved figures, their exact location has not been revealed. The collection comprises of eight sculptures including a 13th century piece of the Madonna and Child carved in oak, a 15th century statue of St Catherine in alabaster and statues of other saints including St Patrick.
The statues started life at the Franciscan Abbey at Greyfriars in Waterford city centre, also known as The French church. When the abbey was suppressed by Henry VIII, the statues were moved to the Holy Ghost Hospital in 1539. In the late 1880s, the statues were again moved to a new Holy Ghost Hospital building. Twelve years ago, that building was sold and the statues were moved again. In recent years, the hospital board became concerned about the security of the statues and requested an assessment from the National Gallery. Experts from the National Gallery reported that the statues are priceless.
Master of the Holy Ghost Hospital, Dr Tom Brennan, says that the hospital board was not fully aware of the value of the statues until the National Gallery had made its assessment. The location of the statues will remain a secret until they are handed over to Waterford Corporation on permanent loan for inclusion in the city heritage centre.
The owners were determined that the treasures would remain on exhibition in Waterford.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 January 1994. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
