Source: Athenry News and Views (April/May 2011)

A native of Athenry, Edwin Feeney has been working with stone for twenty years producing unique pieces for people in Ireland, England, Australia and Canada, embracing the traditional methods and tools to produce the desired finish to his work.

‘My grandfather was my inspiration. He was a farmer and one day when I was eight years old, I accidentally broke his sharpening stone and spent a couple of days trying to find a stone to replace it, and from then on I began to look at stone in all its forms’. Following an apprenticeship he joined National Monuments in the area of conservation and restoration and spent the next 12 years on projects at heritage sites throughout Ireland.

He works mainly with native Limestone due to its hardwearing nature and its enduring presence in Irish architectural and memorial. ‘I find it takes on good detail with a variety of tones and textures, which enhance carvings’

Edwin now stone carves from his workshop in Ballyloughane, producing a variety of  work including memorials, plaques, benches and fireplaces.

Married to Róisín, they have two children, Rachel and Adam.

More examples of his work can be seen on www.edwinfeeney.ie. Edwin can be contacted on 087-9038172.