The Aistear Iniscealtra project represents the vision of a community and their efforts to retain a green area in the village for themselves, visitors and future generations. It was officially opened on the 21st June 2000; the completion of the project closed a chapter on an area of ground that had been a concern for fifteen years. The fear was that the rectory field would become a site for housing development, and that the last green area in the village would be lost.

The Aistear Iniscealtra is a 4.5acre Community Park, situated in the centre of the village between the main street and the harbour. Pedestrian access has been developed from harbour to village via the gravel path. Over five hundred trees and shrubs have been planted along this walk to ensure the village is kept green and that the beauty of nature is never far away.

The Main Entrance to the Aistear is from the village. This entrance is by way of a beautifully arched gateway, the shape of which frames the island of Inniscealtra (or Holy Island as it is known locally). The keystone of this arch and the building itself is dedicated to the memory of Paddy Bugler, a member of Clare County Council and local Politician, who was responsible for helping to make Mountshannon the place it is today. The arch is a mark of respect for a man who gave so much to this community without ever asking for anything in return.


Inside and to the left of the Main Entrance Gate is a play area for children. As one moves forward along the pathway one encounters the Maze, which is the main feature of the Aistear. The Maze is a pathway or pilgrimage through time, measured by the history of spirituality in Ireland. There are seven distinct periods or time spans during the journey depicting the spiritual evolutionary process. The project is based on the concept of spirituality in Ireland from prehistoric times through to the modern era, an aspect of our culture that deserves to be celebrated and acknowledged.

An indoor interpretation of this spirituality would be inappropriate as Irish Spirituality was always rooted in the world of nature and landscape. Spirituality is something that needs to be experienced as well as thought about, felt as well as known, understood in the heart as well as in the mind. In order to ensure this, a place of mystery and contemplation was required. It was decided that this should be largely in an open-air setting, with hidden pathways and quiet contemplative corners that give a sense of the transcendent.

To accomplish this it was decided to construct a maze incorporating timber, stone and foliage that would depict different belief systems of the past. Mountshannon Community Council , in conjunction with archaeologists, identified seven periods that mark the evolution of spirituality. These periods are reflected in the seven spaces within the maze, displaying contemporary relics and artefacts, which draw together these beliefs. The result is an engaging and informative exploration of Irish Spirituality over 9,000 years.