In the shadow of the round tower in Timahoe, a peculiar piece of artwork has been erected. With no explanation, the average visitor is left wondering why a carved book rests on a column with a rooster, mouse and fly.
The statue is called St Mochua’s Desk. Mochua is the saint who gave Timahoe its name (Teách Mochua = house of Mochua). As for the book and the odd menagerie, that’s based on the stories told about the saint… the rooster kept the hours for him, the mouse licked his ear to wake him every three hours for prayer, the fly would walk the lines of text in his holy books so he would never lose his spot.
The art installation came from a collaboration between artist Michael Burke and a local school. The students were charged with establishing the theme, choosing a location, and identifying appropriate and affordable materials.
- Ask About Ireland: St Mochua’s Desk
- Catholic Ireland: St Mochua of Timahoe
St Mochua’s Desk 
St Mochua’s Desk
Written by Corey Taratuta
Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey’s Tips | Website
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