Calls for iconic Hive to return

A local councillor has issued a renewed and emphatic call for the Hive of Knowledge - one of Monaghan’s most distinctive and culturally significant public artworks - to be removed from storage and restored to a prominent location in Monaghan Town.

Reaffirming his commitment, Fine Gael’s Pauric Clerkin confirmed he has formally requested Monaghan Municipal District executive to actively progress the relocation of the sculpture, stressing its continued absence represents a loss to the town’s cultural landscape.

“The Hive of Knowledge is an important piece of public artwork that belongs to the people of Monaghan,” Cllr Clerkin said.

Three locations

At the July 2025 MD meeting, councillors were presented with three possible locations for the reinstatement of the artwork - Church Square / Mill Street junction; the Peace Campus car park entrance, adjacent to Monaghan Library and Monaghan Museum; and outside Wilson’s Shop on Market Street.

At the September 2025 meeting, Cllr Clerkin proposed that the Peace Campus carpark entrance was the most appropriate site, highlighting its strong educational and community links as well as the site’s proximity to both the library and museum. The proposal was approved by councillors following a vote, however subsequent correspondence from Leonard Engineering advised that, while the sculpture cannot return to its former position near the Courthouse forecourt, it should still be located within the town centre.

As a result, the matter is now scheduled to return to the agenda at the February MD meeting, where councillors will once again consider the future home of the iconic piece.

Global artwork

The Hive of Knowledge was created during the International Forge-in at the Blacksmiths Festival held in Monaghan Town in June 201.

Designed by renowned blacksmith Mark Keeling, who fabricated the housing structure at his forge in West Cork, the artwork incorporates individual iron panels created by world-leading Master Blacksmith, each reflecting their own interpretation of knowledge and learning.

Originally installed in the Church Square area beside the Courthouse, the sculpture replaced a damaged tree and was accompanied by a circular stone plaque explaining its origins and significance.

Placement

Cllr Clerkin insists that the priority is now to have the artwork reinstated to a location that does justice to its meaning and its history.

“I am committed to working with the Executive and fellow councillors to ensure it is taken out of storage and returned to public view in a location that best serves the town and its people,” he told the meeting.