Willie Brennan, the Irish Highwayman immortalised in the ballad ‘Brennan on the Moor’, is the subject of a new monument recently erected in Kilworth.

The pillar, yet to be fully completed, features an image of Brennan on horseback, above the following line from the ballad, made famous by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Mackem: “It is of a brave young highwayman this story we will tell, His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell. 'Twas on the Kilworth Mountains he commenced his wild career, And many a wealthy nobleman before him shook with fear.”

The monument was organised by the Kilworth Festival Committee, and Fiona Turley said the idea for choosing Willie Brennan was for historical reasons.

“It’s something historic and also fun. It was decided to have something in the village created by the people who supported the festival, so there would be something there always.

“We thought of the Willie Brennan theme because it’s interesting, and The Clancy Brothers connection with the song. Even if people wouldn’t have heard of Willie Brennan, they would have heard the song. There was a lot of reasons to do it,” Ms Turley said.

Cork artist Sean McCarthy, who in 2006 produced the Christy Ring statue for Cork Airport, designed the monument in Kilworth. Ms Turley said the reason for the pillar style came from the history of the square in Kilworth.

“We chose the pillar because, when they square was originally designed, they used pillars around the greens and we just felt a higher version of that would fit in nicely with what was already there.

“We went for the green bronze because, in the summer, the trees will hang quite low over the piece and it blends in together nicely, and in time it will look lovely. It was designed in that particular position so the sun will catch it, and it’s quite three-dimensional when the sun hits it. It’s very defined in sunlight.”

The path around the monument is Limestone, traditionally used in Kilworth. It is hoped that an official opening will be held on St Patrick’s Day next year, once writing on the back of the monument - detailing the history of Willie Brennan - is completed.

As well as LEADER funding, money was raised within the village and beyond, while a number of locals helped towards the completion of the path around the monument.

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