War of Independence sculpture for Bandon

A STRIKING bronze and stainless steel sculpture in commemoration of the War of Independence was officially opened in St Finbarr’s Place in Bandon this week by County Mayor Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy.

Entitled ‘Téarnamh’, it’s a contemporary 5m tall monument, commissioned from local sculptors Don Cronin and Maurice Gaynor. At a cost of €40,000 it has been funded by Cork County Council through the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.

Speaking at the opening, county mayor Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy said: ‘The construction of this remarkable monument is part of a greater commitment by Cork County Council to commemorate all those involved in the War of Independence in West Cork – a commitment that is seen in the commemorative plaza and status of Sean Hurley in Drinagh, the proposed Michael Collins Trails and the recently opened exhibition in Michael Collins House in Clonakilty.’

The sculpture – which also carries a copy of the 1916 Proclamation at its base – was the brainchild of the Bandon 1916 Commemoration Committee who wanted to acknowledge the vision and courage of the men and women of this revolutionary period.

Committee member Finbarr Walsh said: ‘The years  1916 to 1921 were momentous years in this country’s history and much of the action in that period happened in Cork and notably in the Bandon area.’

 The committee – including Cllr Gillian Coughlan, Jerry Deas, Liam Murphy, John O’Neill (deceased), Don O’Sullivan, John Twomey and Finbarr Walsh – spent three years fundraising to raise the necessary finance for the completion of this monument and the publication of a commemorative booklet.