St Brendan navigates back home

ST Brendan the Navigator is back in pride of place overlooking Bantry Bay.

The beautiful bronze statue was removed a year ago because it had become unstable and taken to the National Sculpture Factory for refurbishment.

The statue – which was designed by German-Irish sculptor Imogen Stuart and erected in 1969 to mark the opening of the Whiddy oil terminal – was also in need of a bit of a clean-up.

‘But now it’s back on its plinth in Wolfe Tone Square and looking better than ever,’ according to local Fine Gael Cllr Mary Hegarty.

The councillor said the patron saint of sailors and navigators is an important focal point for tourists and she welcomed the fact that it was returned ‘just in time for the tourist season.’