Updated: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 4:50pm

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Burns to sculpt in public at Le Cheile

by John Donohoe

Joey Burns with his fiddle head piece for Cavan town's Fleadh Festival.

A public woodcarving demonstration will take place at this weekend's Le Cheile Festival, in Oldcastle. Master carver, Joey Burns, will return to his native place for this one-off demonstration of intricate and intrinsic workmanship.

Joey's works have been turning heads for well over two decades all over the country and have featured, most recently, as the centrepiece for the upcoming Fleadh Festival in Cavan town. Positioned at the centre of Cavan's busiest roundabout junction, Joey's latest masterpiece features a delicately formed fiddle-head, complete with steel cable strings, and was one of the many pieces he, and his peers created for the upcoming Mortas an Chabhain project. Following huge interest and appreciation from the residents of Cavan town, the pressure is now on the county council to keep these works on show. Originally, the pieces were to be in place just for the Fleadh, however, public opinion is now swinging towards making some of these pieces permanent fixtures.

Taking his inspiration from all things Celtic, Joey will be designing a one-off original especially for Le Cheile. Continuing a tradition that was initiated over the years (last year saw poet, Peter Fallon, donate a once-off piece), a local artist will donate one piece to Le Cheile, and Joey is happy that the piece created on the night, will be auctioned for sale on Monday 2nd August, as the festival comes to its close in Crean's Bar, where headliners 'The Weapons Inspectors', will rock the night away.

All funds raised from the auction will go to Le Cheile's chosen charity, The Navan Wheelchair Association. On the night, Joey will be carving a unique piece, in public, as a social event. Passers-by are welcome to engage with Joey as he demonstrates the skills which have made his work so highly sought after. Joey's easy manner and engaging personality also make him one of the most approachable and affable of artists, with a sharp wit and an electric sense of humour. The demonstration is from 7pm-8.30pm.