Official unveiling of Killorglin statue that honours diaspora

A FREE family fun day will coincide with the unveiling of the new Killorglin Railway statue on Saturday, October 8, and Killorglin’s Chamber Alliance and Tidy Towns committee are inviting everyone to the craic at Library Place from 4pm to 7pm.

It promises to be a lively occasion with lots to see and do for all the family.

There’ll be bouncing castles, a 1940’s style jazz disco, face painting, storytelling and vintage cars to complement the unveiling at 4pm.

The Iveragh Road statue is carved from the 150 year old Sessile Oak which had to be cut down recently after root damage had made its height unsustainable.

Killorglin Tidy Towns undertook hours of research to see it the 20 foot stump at the site of the old railway station was viable, and after advice from a range of groups, it was decided to carve a ‘Diaspora Lady’ waiting on a train.

The piece by Limerick’s Will Fogarty and an accompanying inscription acknowledges all who’ve left the area in decades gone by and in recent years.

Trudi O’Sullivan of the Killorglin Chamber Alliance has described the response to the statue as ‘phenomenal’.

“Reaction to the tree’s removal had initially been adverse, but it’s been counteracted by this commemorative and evocative statue”, she said.

“People have told me it really reflects the vulnerability of the emigrant. It’s a feature that could be as iconic as the goat at the entrance to town.”

The Killorglin Tidy Town committee has extended its thanks to everyone who contributed to the project in any way.

The Killorglin woodcarving will be officially unveiled on October 8.