The Story Behind the Statues of Brother Joseph McNally
Across Ballintubber and Turlough stand four remarkable sculptures that connect County Mayo to Southeast Asia through the life and legacy of one extraordinary man, Brother Joseph (Joe) McNally, native of Ballintubber, educator, artist, and founder of Singapore’s world-renowned LASALLE College of the Arts.
These statues are not only works of art; they are expressions of faith, gratitude, and community spirit. They tell a story that stretches from the quiet fields of Mayo to the bustling cultural landscape of Singapore and back again.
A Native of Ballintubber With a Global Impact
Brother Joseph McNally (1923–2002) grew up in Ballintubber, County Mayo, where his interest in art first took root during his school years. At the age of 14, he left home to join the De La Salle Brothers, beginning a lifetime of service in religious education and the arts.
He completed his novitiate at the De La Salle Retreat in Castletown and studies at De La Salle College in Mallow, County Cork. In 1943, after graduating, he began teaching at the College, nurturing students by day while honing his artistic skills through evening classes at Mallow Technical School.
Brother Joseph’s path eventually brought him to Southeast Asia. Arriving in Singapore in 1946, he spent decades shaping the region’s arts and education community. He taught at St Patrick’s School, later serving as its principal from 1975 until 1982. In 1984, he founded the St Patrick’s Arts Centre—now LASALLE College of the Arts—and remained its president until 1997, when he was named President Emeritus.
Many of Singapore’s most celebrated contemporary artists credit Brother Joe as their mentor and guiding influence. His dedication, generosity, and talent left a profound imprint on generations of students.
A Millennium Gift to Ballintubber: Dia ‘s Muire dhuit ‘s Phádraig
As the Millennium approached, Brother Joe sought to honour his home parish with a symbolic artistic gift. From his workshop in Singapore, he sculpted three statues, inspired by the traditional Irish greeting:
“Dia ‘s Muire dhuit ‘s Phádraig.”
“May Jesus, Mary, and Patrick be with you.”
Each statue represents one element of this ancient blessing:
- Christ the King at Castleburke — Dia (Jesus)
- Our Lady of Ballintubber, inside the Abbey gate — Muire (Mary)
- St Patrick, at the well behind the Abbey — Pádraig (Patrick)
Christ the King at Castleburke
The lakeside statue at Castleburke represents Dia and reflects the Gospel of John 21:1–14—the Risen Christ appearing to his disciples by the water. Its position on the shores of Lough Carra brings the Gospel scene into the Mayo landscape in a deeply moving way.
Our Lady of Ballintubber
Modelled on the 1973 statue by Professor Haerkner of the National College of Art, this sculpture represents Mary—Muire. Her expression of courage and hope mirrors the Abbey’s history: a community that “dared to hope” through centuries of challenge.
St Patrick at the Abbey Well
The third statue, behind the Abbey at St Patrick’s Well, represents the final element of the greeting: Pádraig.
A Community Effort to Bring Them Home
Although created in Singapore, the statues became part of Ballintubber’s spiritual landscape through the determination of the local community. Brother Joe donated all three sculptures to the parish for the Millennium. Thanks to extensive fundraising, the parish funded the shipping, transport, and installation of the statues in their permanent locations.
Today, these monuments represent not only Brother Joe’s artistry, but also the unity and commitment of the people of Ballintubber.
Brother McNally in Bronze: Counsellor II at Turlough Park
Brother Joe’s artistic legacy reached another milestone in 2004, when an up-scaled, posthumous bronze cast of his work Counsellor II was installed at Turlough Park, home of the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life.
The sculpture, depicting an educator gazing kindly upon a child, symbolises the warmth, care, and dedication Brother Joe showed throughout his life as a teacher and mentor. It was presented to Ireland by Singapore, funded by a charity auction supported by artists—and former students—from Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore’s arts community rallied behind the project, with many contributors crediting Brother Joe as the person who first believed in them, encouraged them, or opened the door for their artistic education. As Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman of Singapore’s National Heritage Board, said:
“He was an extraordinary man… a gift to Singapore from Ireland.”
Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Development, George Yeo—one of Brother Joe’s former pupils—travelled to Mayo for the sculpture’s unveiling.
A Legacy Carved in Faith and Friendship
Brother Joseph McNally died in Ballintubber in August 2002, returning to the place where his artistic and spiritual journey began. Today, his works stand across two continents:
- Three Millennium statues in Ballintubber Parish
- Counsellor II in Turlough Park
- Numerous works throughout Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond
Together, they form a legacy of creativity, faith, mentorship, and community—a legacy that continues to inspire all who encounter his art.
