Soz Fixrbabe, I'm not familiar with him. Of course, there were many excellent sculptors in the centuries prior to concrete & plastics. Quite unusual to have a stone carver who was celebrated for woodcarving too: the skill set (and tools) don't have massive amounts of overlap.
What more do you know about him?
"We all have flaws, and mine is being wicked." James Thurber, The Thirteen Clocks 1951
I don't think he was celebrated for woodcarving, I think that might have been something he did for fun or for a friend. He was primarily a stonecarver, perhaps nearly exclusively.
When he was flush with money he was apparently some party, eccentric and fun. When money was tight he could be a nasty drunk. He knocked my great grandmum around a bit I am afraid, until one of the kids threatened him with bodily harm if it happened again.
I'll get some more history from my cousin who lives in Ireland tomorrow if I can get him on Skype. Perhaps he can tell me where he mostly worked and other information. I'd love to know more about the family over there and I hope to come over within a year.
Did you ever see such a messed up situation in your whole life, son?
bastard by name