see link The Navan Crucifix.
Edward Smyth was a sculptor born in
County Meath in 1749, the son of a stone cutter.
He was apprenticed to Simon Vierpyl, the sculptor, who had his workshop at
Bachelors Walk, Dublin.
In 1772 he designed a statue of
Charles Lucas MP and it was accepted
and placed in the City Hall Dublin.
He was then employed by Henry Darley,
a builder and stone cutter based in Abbey St.
Here he was chiefly employed at
carving panels and ornaments for chimney pieces.
Darley was employed by James Gandon, the architect, who was at that time (1781) working on the Custom House in Dublin, and he suggested Smyth for employment to work on the ornamental sculptures on the building.
Gandon was so impressed with Smyth’s drawings and models that he said “This will do. This is the artist I require. He must go alone and quit your employment.” (Mulvany’s, Life of Gandon)
He went on to to sculpt for the House of Lords, now the Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin.
(right) Smyth’s monument to the Preston
family (Swainstown) which is located in the 18th century Church of Ireland
in the village of Kilmessan.