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A HIDDEN GEM OF INDIAN SCULPTURE IN COUNTY WICKLOW IRELAND - THE VICTOR'S WAY

When I first saw this in the internet, it sparks some curiosity as it is unusual to see this kind of attraction here in Ireland. Seeing large Indian sculptures in an Irish culture is a bit unexpected. So to satisfy our curiosity we went to the place and experienced the beauty of Indian's culture and the meaning of each sculpture standing in this tranquil meditation garden here in County Wicklow. 

Want to escape from the stresses and strain of everyday life? Then find out why Victor's Way is a must - see.

The Park

Victor's Way (previously Victoria's Way), located near Roundwood, County Wicklow, Ireland, is a privately owned meditation garden notable for its black granite sculptures. The 9-hectare property includes a number of small lakes and forested areas.

The park closed in 2015 as Victoria's Way with the owner stating "Too may day-trippers came turned it into a fun park for parents with children. It was designed as a contemplative garden for over 28's." but was then re-opened under its original name Victor's Way on 15 April 2016, with new age restrictions and higher entrance fee.

The park is open to the public during the summer months. *


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How to get to Victor's Way

From Dublin take the N11 south towards Wicklow. Turn right at Kilmacanogue towards Glendalough. After about 7 miles turn right towards Sally Gap (Route 759). At the first crossroad (after 600 yards) turn left towards Roundwood. You'll find the Indian Sculpture Park at Victoria's Way, 300 yards up the road on the left. Admission is €10 per adult. Victor is usually outside by the small shed where you pull up to and if he is not there he is probably out within the park, you may use the Honesty Box. ** 


What You Can see at Victors Way

Covering 22 acres, the park includes a series of dancing figures of Ganesh, Shiva, and other Hindu deities. It also includes more bizarre sculptures of a skeletal Buddha-like figure, an enormous disembodied finger, and a sculpture called “The Split Man” which shows a figure ripping itself in two, representing “the mental state of the dysfunctional human.”

Intended to represent the spiritual progression to enlightenment, this collection of 14 statues took 20 years to complete. A plaque dedicates the park to mathematician Alan Turing.**

GROUP OF GANESH


Emerging in a wide open field it’s now that we set eyes on the many Ganesh. Most here are playing musical instruments, while one sits reading a copy of “Visual Basic”, familiarizing himself with modern computers. Ganesh is playful amongst the gods and is known to bring good fortune, while helping his followers to perfect happiness. He is seen as therefore as being modern and cool. There are come neat touches on the statues with small animals found on all. One Ganesh can be seen playing an uilean pipe (elbow played pipes from Ireland, similar to the bag pipes) and wearing a tweed cap, and has become known as Paddyganesh. The full group took the sculptor seven years to complete, and all stand two to three metres tall.


COBRA

The Cobra seat here is in fact known as a wisdom seat, where anyone is free to sit. The emptiness of the seat suggests openness and limitlessness and while seated here you can create and awaken to any reality. Cobras of course nowadays are perceived as scary bringers of death, but in Egyptian time they symbolised the feminine principles of wisdom, fertility, healing and chaos. Thus from this comes an unlimited creative potential, and the thinking behind the wisdom seat.

AWAKENING

The first sculpture of the six stages of life is awakening. It is the moment of birth as the blind infant enters the world. The infant emerges in innocence, awe, fear and unknowing and in conclusion its blind state symbolises this. The rotten claw is the past, the hold that once was held on infant. It is in summary about to be released from its clutches.

SEPARATION


Separation is symbolic of the struggle for both mother and child. It is both painful and joyous for both, as after nine months being as one, they must seek a life somewhat separate. The mother’s face is etched with agony, as she looks to stop the child from nursing. It’s some startling imagery that’s sure. The animal or instinctive side of the mother is seen pulling and holding the child close, while the human side pushes him away, knowing he must now seek independence. The representation is actually Lord Krishna as a toddler sucking milk of the demon Putna, who was sent by his maternal uncle Kansha to kill him. The demon came disguised as a beautiful woman, and tried feeding him poisonous milk to kill him. Krishna sucked out all the milk, and Putna was left screaming and writhing in agony.

SPLIT MAN


But the prize for most disturbing sculpture at Victors Way must go to Split Man. It is however a wonderful piece of art. The split man represents humans at an age around thirty, and represents the mental state of the dysfunctional. He is unable or willing to dedicate his life to one goal, one which may bring him happiness, and as a result descends into unhappiness and depression. This split soul is metaphorical here as Split Man in agony therefore rips himself in two. His face tells his agonising story. Astonishing imagery.

THE FASTING BUDDHA - DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL


This rather interesting Buddha is a replica of the 1st century Bodhisattva, produced in Pakistan and which is now sitting in the Lahore Museum. The Buddha is unusual in that it is un-Buddha like, with many Roman influences. The robes, beard and look for instance are Roman. The fasting Buddha is a continuation of the Split Man, where the choices continue to eat him up inside. He gets to the darkest point, and after that seeks spiritual help. It comes in the teachings of Buddha, through deep meditation, and finally enlightenment.

THE FERRYMANS END 


The Ferryman lies submerged in algae covered waters, reaching towards the land. His role of bringing souls from death to life is obsolete and he remains there reaching for the shore. However the land remains unreachable and eventually he will die where he stands. The ferryman symbolises the individual who has lost touch with reality, and is therefore reaching for the unattainable. It is in essence about a mid-life crisis when what has come before seems worthless and a new direction is sought. Only when a new meaningfulness is achieved will that shore be reached.

LORD SHIVA


The gardens leave the forest behind and emerge at a lake side. These are Victors Way gardens most picturesque and peaceful areas, with the skies above reflected in the gentle calming waters. A lovely boat lay marooned in the middle of one lake while in the other Lord Shiva takes centre place. Shiva is one of the main Hindi Gods, and represents the maturing adult. He is driven to live life to the fullest, to above all make the most of every minute, knowing that life is in decline. Whatever the message the sight of the sculpture sitting in the water is an impressive one, throwing off beautiful reflections in the sunlight.

THE FINGER


The finger is an icon for the basic thrust of life, to create. If we don’t create it postulates that we will be unhappy. To create is to become. That’s why etched on the fingernail are the words “Create or Die”. It’s meaning transcends more than just procreation to every aspects of life, above all it is the need to create, and therefore reduce our sameness to everyone else. Creativity begins in each of our fingers. 

EVE


Eve here is not represented as in the bible, where temptation got the better, but rather as referenced by ancient Hebrew texts. There she is life bringing, wise, loving and bettering herself through the acquiring of knowledge. In the texts Eve is the mother of life, and Adam was a lowly field worker, with the only role being to provide for the far smarter and more creative Eve. Needless to say many readers will agree with that. Feminism was alive and well in ancient times. The sculpture is again a semi-nude.

NIRVANA MAN and Others at Victor’s Way


Nirvana Man is a sculpture who has attained inner peace and happiness and has reached Nirvana. He has attained his goal and been self realised. He just looks happy, chilling there. It’s the ideal way to end a tour of the park, after a voyage of torment through the other sculptures. We have seen the experiences that life can bring, but not where can it end up? Is there something to be read into the fact, that most of the tormented statues are men, before we finally end up with Eve, and the conclusion of how women will provide the wisdom and creativity to be the dominant sex.

At this point we find the Nirvana Man, happy with his lot and without a care in the world.***


OPENING HOURS

Victor's Way is open to public during summer time between 12 noon to 6 pm subject to Covid regulations.

TIPS IN VISITING VICTOR'S WAY
  • It is advisable to book online prior coming the place.
  • Victor’s Way was designed for adults between 28 (minus 10) and 60 (plus 30) needing to some quality time out + a bite of serendipity and to reflect on the wider canvas of life, specifically their own. Parents are discouraged from bringing their children. If in doubt, kindly view the sculptures on this page and decide if you want your children to see them. Children go in free.
  • Check the weather prior coming and bring proper gear (bring outdoor clothes and watertight shoes during rainy days) !!!!! 
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