Pride as Scottish island unveils new statue honouring patron saint

The new statue of Saint Barr pictured from the boat | contributed

placeholder image — The new statue of Saint Barr pictured from the boat | contributed

Statue blessed with Holy Water from Cork

He is credited with introducing Christianity to the Hebridean island which took his name by way of thanks.

Now, a new statue has been unveiled to Saint Barr, Barra’s Irish patron saint, after an extensive fundraising campaign.

The bronze sculpture was revealed and blessed at a special gathering to coincide with the annual feast day of the sixth century saint.

The new statue was created following a successful fundraising drive. Picture: Iagan MacNeil | Iagan MacNeil

Saint Barr, or Saint Finbar of Cork as he is known in Ireland - is believed to have been a follower of Saint Columbia. He died on 25 September 623 AD. In Gaelic, Barra, or Barraigh, translates as Barr’s Island.

Designed as a replica of a concrete and steel statue created in 1975 by local artist, Margaret Somerville, the new tribute, which depicts the saint holding a shepherd's crook aloft as he looks to the heavens, now occupies pride of place on a small islet in Northbay.

Due to its exposed sea location and the weather conditions, the original statue was showing signs of extensive damage, and was in danger of falling apart completely.

Members of the fundraising group Michael MacKinnon, Theresa Irving, and Michael MacNeil. Picture: Iagan MacNeil | Iagan MacNeil

Michael Iain Mackinnon, chair of the statue fundraising group, described the unveiling of the replacement sculpture as the “culmination of many years’ work and planning” to ensure the patron saint was “back in his rightful place.”

He said: “It is with a significant sense of pride that we witness the unveiling, as what would it have said about our island community if we’d allowed something that is very much loved to disintegrate and crumble into the sea?

“I’m glad the hard work has paid off and Margaret Somerville’s original work will be seen by the community and those who visit for many generations to come.”

Sculptor Margaret Somerville, who created the original Barra statue, at work | Contributed

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Blessing of the original statue in the mid-1970s | Contributed

The fundraising group’s £100,000 campaign began in July 2024, with the expectation that it would take years to meet its target. However, it raised the sums required by September 2025, thanks in large part to a £85,000 donation from Barra-raised Captain Iain Macneil and his wife, Kat.

The windfall allowed the group to work to carefully remove and preserve the original statue, before working with sculptor Stephen Tinney on the replacement.

The weathered face of Saint Barr as the orginal statue started to deteriorate amid the island climate. | Contributed

Parish priest Canon John Paul Mackinnon, who led a Thanksgiving Mass at St Barr’s RC Church during the community celebrations, described it as a “truly remarkable day” to celebrate the saint who remained a “focal point” on the community 1,400 years after his death.

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“This project reminded us that our Christian faith on Barra continues to thrive in a world of so many distractions,” he added. “I am grateful to the fundraising committee and everyone who made it happen and ensured the feast day was very special.”

The Holy Water used to bless the new statue was sourced from Saint Finbarr’s Well in Gougane Barra in Cork, and was sent to Scotland by the Bishop of Cork, Fintan Gavin.

Saint Barr’s Irish heritage was also represented on the day, with the Very Reverend Cliff Jeffers, chancellor of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork, and Jerry O’Donovan, the Consul General of Ireland in Edinburgh, among those in attendance.