Musical statues for Fleadh 2018

THE rich musical heritage in Drogheda could soon be commemorated in a statue if a local councillor has his way.

Councillor Frank Godfrey wants a statue of a young boy playing a concertina on West Street, Drogheda, back in 1880, commissioned and erected in honour of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which will be held in Drogheda in August 2018.

The idea for the statue grew out of local artist, John Cassidy’s ‘A Street Scene, Drogheda 1880’, part of the Municipal Collection and on view in The Highlanes Gallery.

The painting shows four people standing in West Street, on the corner of Duke Street (where Choice is today).

It shows a well dressed lady, a more poorly dressed woman selling produce from a basket, and a man reading a piece of paper. In the middle of the road is a young boy of 10 or 11 years of age, well dressed, and playing a concertina. The painting is recognised as the first representation of this instrument captured by an artist.

John Cassidy (1860 – 1939) was born in Slane, worked in Drogheda before moving to Dublin where he studied and subsequently moved to Manchester, where his fame as both a painter and sculptor grew. His most famous body of work is to be seen at the Ryland’s Gallery in Manchester.

Cllr Godfrey is to seek funding and backing from Louth Local Authority and The Arts Council for this unique piece of art. ‘ As the Fleadh is only a year away it is imperative that we get this project underway right now, so as to be ready in a year’s time. We will have thousands of extra visitors in the town for the Fleadh, and many will want to see this statue or have their photograph taken alongside it. It could also carry the epitaph on Cassidy’s gravestone, ‘ His hands fashioned the beauty he saw’.