MEMORIAL PLAN FOR HISTORIC SEAMAN
MAJOR CELEBRATION SET FOR JULY 14 NEXT TO HONOUR FAMED OFFICER
DESCENDANTS of Thomas Charles Wright are to travel to Drogheda from South America next summer to unveil a monument to the man who founded the Ecuadorian navy in Guayaquil.
It will also mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Wright.
The Drogheda Independent highlighted the story of Wright and his role in South American history earlier this year.
And to mark the special anniversary of his death, local historian Noel Bailey has made contact with the extended Wright family in South America and they are playing their part in marking the occasion.
‘We are working on the monument at the moment and we have set July 14th as the unveiling day,’ Noel stated.
He is hoping to secure a spot close to the port for the 7ft memorial.
‘‘We are sourcing a site for it but the fact that he was a naval man, a place close to the port would be terrific and it will form part of the town’s great seafaring history.’
Wright came from Queensboro and went to naval college in Portsmouth.
But he would ultimately join the forces of Simon Bolivar and fight to free South America from Spanish rule.
Ecuador became independent in 1830 and Wright was one of the country’s heroes. He died in December 1868. There are several monuments to him in Ecuador, while he still has descendants in Drogheda.
A major fundraising campaign has been launched through the Old Drogheda Society to fund the celebrations and all support would be most welcome, Noel states.
The Irish counsel in Ecuador, Ms Dominique Kennedy, is supporting the idea.
Donations can be made via the Old Drogheda Society Ltd and further details can be had from the society. The event is likely to be an internationally recognised one and it is hoped will boost relations between Ecuador and Drogheda.
Wright was born in January 1799.