ARTIST CHOSEN FOR O’CONNELL MONUMENT IN CAHERSIVEEN
PLANS for an O’Connell monument in Cahersiveen are progressing with the selection of the artist, who will create the state-of-the-art feature.
Mayo artist, Rory Breslin, has been awarded the commission to create the monument, which is to be located on the grounds of the O’Connell Church in Cahersiveen.
A number of artists bid for the project and a local selection committee including representatives of the church, the local community and the artistic community, chose Mr Breslin. He has previously created the famous Michael Hartnett sculpture in Newcastlewest and the Roses sculpture on the Tralee bypass.
Planning permission and funding sources will now be sought for the feature which include the creation of a new plaza on the church grounds.
The sculpture will be a 180 degree bronze mask set on a circular Kilkenny Limestone plinth. It will be approximately three metres high and nearly three metres in diameter. The facade of the work will depict a detailed portrait of O’Connell while the reverse side will be a semi-circular polished bronze wall with some of O’Connell’s famous quotations.
“It is a interactive monument and public space not just another statue,” explains project manager, Michael O’Driscoll.
“This will be a showpiece in the centre of the town and an iconic feature on the Ring of Kerry.”
The cost of the monument is expected to be around €100,000 and the project committee are hoping to seek funds from the US as well as locally to create the new tourist attraction.
“It is a very exciting project for the town and is long overdue,” added Michael.