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Dynamic sculpture planned as part of revamp of St Finbarr's Place in Bandon

December 12th, 2017 5:05 PM

By Kieran O'Mahony

At the Munster Arms for the launch of the plans were Cllr Gillian Coughlan and artists Don Cronin and Morris Gaynor.

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A contemporary bronze and stainless steel sculpture which will light up at night will be a landmark feature in the regeneration plan for St Finbarr's Place in Bandon. 

A CONTEMPORARY bronze and stainless steel sculpture which will light up at night will be a landmark feature in the regeneration plan for St Finbarr’s Place in Bandon. 

The sculpture will be called ‘Téarnamh’ and will measure about 4.5m to 5m in height. Designed  by Don Cronin and Maurice Gaynor, it will be erected in commemoration of all who fought and worked for the establishment of the Irish Republic 1916-1921.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan of the Bandon 1916 Commemoration Committee told the launch meeting for the plans in the Munster Arms Hotel, that it could be a model for what the rest of the town could look like, once the main drainage works are completed in the town.

She showed an artist’s impression of the plan which will involve planters being removed from the current site and  trees planted. 

Seats will also be installed to allow people reflect on the piece of art while Cork County Council, who are involved in the project, will release funds to repave the whole area. 

Cllr Coughlan said: ‘This will be a landmark piece of architecture, particularly at night when the light shoots up through the steel and it will stay in people’s minds. It’s a significant piece of sculpture made of stainless steel and copper and the 1916 Proclamation will be engraved on the base.’

Cllr Coughlan said the sculpture will cost in the region of €35,000 and while they have some funds, she said that they are looking for extra funding and pointed out that anyone who does donate may wish to have their donation acknowledged in a commemorative booklet.

‘We need between €10,000 to €12,000, but the important thing about this is that it will be here for a long time to come. It’s important that we recognise that this is not just  another monument, that this can be a totem for heritage tourism for people visiting this area,’ added Cllr Coughlan.

Cllr Coughlan pointed out that there won’t be any names on this sculpture but it will symbolise ‘the spirit of freedom and independence.’

‘So that anyone who sees it, will see the ambition we have here for Bandon for our future and our children and it’s important that this generation exemplifies and displays this ambition.’

Don Cronin told The Southern Star  the sculpture that he and Maurice will design will have a contemporary feel to it.

‘Apart from the Proclamation it’s about presenting concepts and it’s more of an aspirational piece and that’s really what the light is about as well, which will come from the centre of it and will point skyward. 

‘It will be quite dynamic,’ he promised.

‘The 1916 Proclamation will be circular around the base of the sculpture, so people will have to walk around it and read it and that makes it contemporary and will encourage people to read it.’

The Bandon 1916 Commemoration Committee Bank account number in AIB Bank Bandon is 39092-008 if anyone wishes to donate.

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