Johnny the Jig

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A bronze sculpture, cast in 1953, by Rosamund Praeger, located on the south side of High Street, Holywood. The sculpture depicts the life-size figure of a smiling young boy dressed in shorts sitting astride a large undressed granite rock and playing a concertina. A plaque to the foot of the rock states: "Johnny the Jig / by / Rosamund Praeger (1867-1954) / of Holywood / sculptress, illustrator, writer / who loved children". It is set within a brick enclosure on the pavement, fronting a playground.

Material: Bronze and granite

Historical information

The statue, sculpted by Rosamund Praeger (1867-1954), a native of Holywood, was unveiled on November 5th 1953. It is sited at the entrance to the children’s playground in High Street which was given to the town by the McCormick family of Cultra House (HB23/18/024) in memory of Hugh McNeile McCormick. The statue was intended to commemorate children who have died in road traffic accidents. (Auld, p.158)

Rosamund Praeger was born in Holywood and attended Sullivan Upper School (HB23/21/013) and the Belfast School of Art before leaving for the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where she gained a scholarship. Her early work was an illustrator and author of children’s books but from 1899 she began to produce sculpture, exhibiting more than 50 works at the Royal Hibernian Academy and establishing her reputation with a work called ‘The Philosopher’ which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1913. Hundreds of copies were sold and Praeger was able to buy her Holywood studio. Her works include war memorials in Campbell College and at the non-subscribing First Presbyterian church in Belfast, plaques called ‘Mother Love’ at the entrance to the Royal Maternity Hospital and a memorial plaque of Lord Carson in Belfast Cathedral. She won many honours, including presidency of the Ulster Academy and, in1939, the OBE. ‘Johnny the Jig’ was one of her last commissions. (Snoddy, p.535-7)

Primary Sources

1.Belfast Telegraph, 17 April 1954

Secondary Sources

1.Auld, C. “Holywood Co Down, Then and Now” Holywood: Con Auld, 2002
2.Merrick, Tony “Buildings of Holywood” Holywood: Holywood Advertiser, 1986
3.Snoddy, T “Dictionary of Irish Artists, 20th Century” Dublin: Merlin Publishing, 2002

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship

Evaluation

A bronze sculpture by prominent Irish sculptress Rosamund Praeger, a native of Holywood, and representing her last commission, unveiled in 1953. The sculpture depicts the life-size figure of young boy sitting astride a large granite rock, playing a concertina. This fine bronze sculpture has become an important landmark in Holywood conservation area and has great significance for the local community.