Liam Roe, A life’s work | A Retrospective of an Irish Wood Sculptor at Pearse Museum

Event Details

The Office of Public Works (OPW) and Pearse Museum are proud to present a major retrospective of the work of Irish wood sculptor Liam Roe (1935–2010), running from 1 November 2025 to 1 February 2026.

Roe spent his life cultivating the craft of wood sculpture, developing his practice over several decades. He worked primarily with oak, walnut, Spanish chestnut, elm, yew and lime, creating human and animal forms that reflected both Irish cultural memory and everyday experience. His work explored themes of history, mythology, music, faith, the natural world, and the bond between mother and child.

Born in Marino, North Dublin, Roe began carving in his twenties. In 1962, he travelled to Oberammergau, Germany, to study traditional woodcarving, and later attended night classes at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). He held his first solo exhibition in 1963 at Brown Thomas, Dublin.

Roe played a significant role in preserving traditional woodcarving in Ireland. He contributed to teaching at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), where his deep knowledge and practical skill were respected by students and colleagues alike.

This exhibition, organised in partnership with the OPW, brings together a wide selection of Roe’s sculptures, many of which have never before been shown publicly.

Image: “Cut-out lady” in sycamore (1972)”