Johnny the Jig, High Street, Holywood, County Down

Johnny the Jig is a bronze sculpture cast in 1953 by Rosamund Praeger, a celebrated Irish sculptress and native of Holywood. The work depicts a life-size smiling young boy dressed in shorts, sitting astride a large undressed granite rock while playing a concertina. The sculpture is located on the south side of High Street at the entrance to a children's playground, set within a brick enclosure on the pavement.

A plaque at the foot of the rock reads: "Johnny the Jig / by / Rosamund Praeger (1867-1954) / of Holywood / sculptress, illustrator, writer / who loved children". The statue was unveiled on 5 November 1953 in a playground gifted to the town by the McCormick family of Cultra House in memory of Hugh McNeile McCormick. It was intended to commemorate children who died in road traffic accidents and represents Praeger's last commission.

Rosamund Praeger (1867-1954) was born in Holywood and attended Sullivan Upper School and the Belfast School of Art before studying at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where she won a scholarship. She initially worked as an illustrator and author of children's books before beginning to produce sculpture from 1899. She exhibited over 50 works at the Royal Hibernian Academy and gained recognition with 'The Philosopher', exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1913, of which hundreds of copies were sold. This success allowed her to establish a studio in Holywood. Her other notable works include war memorials at Campbell College and the non-subscribing First Presbyterian church in Belfast, plaques titled 'Mother Love' at the entrance to the Royal Maternity Hospital, and a memorial plaque of Lord Carson in Belfast Cathedral. She was elected president of the Ulster Academy and awarded the OBE in 1939. The sculpture has become an important landmark within Holywood conservation area and holds significant value for the local community.