Cork in 50 Artworks, No 11: Two Working Men, at County Hall on Carrigrohane Rd

Affectionately known as 'Cha and Miah', the well-known piece has a fascinating backstory that reveals it  was originally created for a Dublin location 

Two Working Men, aka Cha and Miah, at Cork County Hall. Picture: Denis Minihane

It might be so well embedded in local lore that it’s known affectionately as Cha and Miah, but one of Cork city’s most distinctive landmark sculptures was actually never meant for Cork.

To locals, the cast bronze sculpture is called 'Cha and Miah', but is actually titled Two Working Men. It depicts two figures, one older and one younger, gazing upwards. Situated as they are outside Cork County Hall, for nearly four decades, they were marvelling at the sight of Ireland’s tallest building, until the title went to another Cork landmark, the Elysian.