BELIEVE IN MAGIC WAS OFF THE SHELF
BELIEVE IN MAGIC AND A MAJOR CORRECTION [WOOD CARVINGS AT STORMONT ESTATE]
In 2019 I received information relating to the wood carvings along the nature trails at Stormont Estate and it was totally false.
Important Update & Correction (July 2026)
The Illusion vs. The Reality: For a long time, I believed—and published below—that the entire suite of whimsical wood carvings along the Stormont Estate Nature Trails was the custom handiwork of a traditional chainsaw artist. However, during a visit in July 2026, a long conversation with an estate insider completely shattered this illusion.
As it turns out, discovering the truth was a bit like finding out that Santa is a fiction. Except for the spectacular, bespoke Stormont Giant—which is indeed a genuine, site-specific commission by a local artist—the smaller fairy doors, animal plaques, and sensory items are actually commercial, off-the-shelf catalogue items bought to kit out the trail. They look like film props because, in a way, they are!
While the literary philosophy of the Roald Dahl quote below remains beautiful, the attribution to an artisan chainsaw carver like Will Fogarty for the smaller pieces was incorrect. I am keeping my original text below for documentation and context, but the reality of the trail is a tale of two halves: commercial procurement saved by a genuinely magnificent, locally crafted Giant.
In hindsight, the red flags were waving right in front of me, hidden in plain sight. If the trail had been a site-specific, locally commissioned project for a Belfast audience, the artistic direction would have naturally leaned into regional identity. We would have seen nods to Irish folklore, local wildlife narratives, or contemporary cultural touchstones like Game of Thrones (which shaped Northern Ireland’s forestry profile) or East Belfast's own C.S. Lewis.
Instead, the trail relies heavily on purely "English" cultural reference points, anchored by a quote from a quintessential English children's author, Roald Dahl. The procurement team had simply flipped through a standard UK municipal supplier’s brochure, ordered a pre-fabricated "Enchanted Woodland" kit, and had it shipped in. No wonder the lady I spoke to was so surprised I had been "fooled"—the geographical clues exposed the commercial nature of the trail from the very beginning! The text explicitly commands walkers to "watch with glittering eyes," yet I had completely missed the most revealing detail.
[THE ORIGINAL TEXT]
BELIEVE IN MAGIC
THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN MAGIC WILL NEVER FIND IT - WOOD CARVING AT STORMONT
This enchanting carving is a part of the Stormont Estate Nature Trails in Belfast. The quote itself is one of the most famous lines by the beloved British children’s author Roald Dahl, appearing in his final book, The Minpins (1991).
The Artist (See correction note above)
The wood carvings along the Stormont trails—which include various animals, folklore figures, and literary quotes—were primarily created by the sculptor Will Fogarty, who works under the name Fear na Coillte (Irish for "Man of the Woods").
Fogarty is a renowned "chainsaw artist" based in Ireland. He is known for transforming fallen or seasoned timber into intricate sculptures that blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings. His work at Stormont is designed to encourage families and children to engage with the woodland and "watch with glittering eyes" for hidden details.
Meaning of the Inscription
The full passage from Dahl’s The Minpins provides the broader context for the carving:
"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
The inscription serves as a philosophical reminder of several key themes:
Open-Mindedness: It suggests that "magic" isn't necessarily about spells or sorcery, but about the ability to see the extraordinary within the ordinary. If you approach the world with cynicism, you become blind to the wonders of nature, art, and human connection.
The Power of Perspective: It acts as a call to maintain a "childlike" sense of wonder. In the context of a nature trail, it invites walkers to slow down and notice the small, "magical" details—the way light hits a leaf or the symmetry of a spiderweb.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: It implies that our expectations shape our reality. If you believe the world is dull, it will be; if you believe it is full of hidden secrets, you will naturally begin to discover them.
The Woodland Trail (Carved Animals & Folklore)
This trail is where you will find the "Magic" quote alongside various animal and sensory features:
The Roald Dahl Quote: The "Magic" inscription discussed above.
Woodland Animals: Chainsaw-carved figures of local wildlife including Owls, Hares, Foxes, and Badgers.
Fairy Houses: Small, intricately carved "fairy doors" and houses built into the bases of trees.
The Storyteller’s Chair: A large, ornate wooden throne used for outdoor readings and gatherings.
Sensory Points: Various tactile carvings designed for children to touch and explore.
In 2019 I received information relating to the wood carvings along the nature trails at Stormont Estate and it was totally false.
Important Update & Correction (July 2026)
The Illusion vs. The Reality: For a long time, I believed—and published below—that the entire suite of whimsical wood carvings along the Stormont Estate Nature Trails was the custom handiwork of a traditional chainsaw artist. However, during a visit in July 2026, a long conversation with an estate insider completely shattered this illusion.
As it turns out, discovering the truth was a bit like finding out that Santa is a fiction. Except for the spectacular, bespoke Stormont Giant—which is indeed a genuine, site-specific commission by a local artist—the smaller fairy doors, animal plaques, and sensory items are actually commercial, off-the-shelf catalogue items bought to kit out the trail. They look like film props because, in a way, they are!
While the literary philosophy of the Roald Dahl quote below remains beautiful, the attribution to an artisan chainsaw carver like Will Fogarty for the smaller pieces was incorrect. I am keeping my original text below for documentation and context, but the reality of the trail is a tale of two halves: commercial procurement saved by a genuinely magnificent, locally crafted Giant.
In hindsight, the red flags were waving right in front of me, hidden in plain sight. If the trail had been a site-specific, locally commissioned project for a Belfast audience, the artistic direction would have naturally leaned into regional identity. We would have seen nods to Irish folklore, local wildlife narratives, or contemporary cultural touchstones like Game of Thrones (which shaped Northern Ireland’s forestry profile) or East Belfast's own C.S. Lewis.
Instead, the trail relies heavily on purely "English" cultural reference points, anchored by a quote from a quintessential English children's author, Roald Dahl. The procurement team had simply flipped through a standard UK municipal supplier’s brochure, ordered a pre-fabricated "Enchanted Woodland" kit, and had it shipped in. No wonder the lady I spoke to was so surprised I had been "fooled"—the geographical clues exposed the commercial nature of the trail from the very beginning! The text explicitly commands walkers to "watch with glittering eyes," yet I had completely missed the most revealing detail.
[THE ORIGINAL TEXT]
BELIEVE IN MAGIC
THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN MAGIC WILL NEVER FIND IT - WOOD CARVING AT STORMONT
This enchanting carving is a part of the Stormont Estate Nature Trails in Belfast. The quote itself is one of the most famous lines by the beloved British children’s author Roald Dahl, appearing in his final book, The Minpins (1991).
The Artist (See correction note above)
The wood carvings along the Stormont trails—which include various animals, folklore figures, and literary quotes—were primarily created by the sculptor Will Fogarty, who works under the name Fear na Coillte (Irish for "Man of the Woods").
Fogarty is a renowned "chainsaw artist" based in Ireland. He is known for transforming fallen or seasoned timber into intricate sculptures that blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings. His work at Stormont is designed to encourage families and children to engage with the woodland and "watch with glittering eyes" for hidden details.
Meaning of the Inscription
The full passage from Dahl’s The Minpins provides the broader context for the carving:
"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
The inscription serves as a philosophical reminder of several key themes:
Open-Mindedness: It suggests that "magic" isn't necessarily about spells or sorcery, but about the ability to see the extraordinary within the ordinary. If you approach the world with cynicism, you become blind to the wonders of nature, art, and human connection.
The Power of Perspective: It acts as a call to maintain a "childlike" sense of wonder. In the context of a nature trail, it invites walkers to slow down and notice the small, "magical" details—the way light hits a leaf or the symmetry of a spiderweb.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: It implies that our expectations shape our reality. If you believe the world is dull, it will be; if you believe it is full of hidden secrets, you will naturally begin to discover them.
The Woodland Trail (Carved Animals & Folklore)
This trail is where you will find the "Magic" quote alongside various animal and sensory features:
The Roald Dahl Quote: The "Magic" inscription discussed above.
Woodland Animals: Chainsaw-carved figures of local wildlife including Owls, Hares, Foxes, and Badgers.
Fairy Houses: Small, intricately carved "fairy doors" and houses built into the bases of trees.
The Storyteller’s Chair: A large, ornate wooden throne used for outdoor readings and gatherings.
Sensory Points: Various tactile carvings designed for children to touch and explore.
I BELIEVED IN MAGIC