The commissioning of the Pádraic Ó Conaire Monument, which stood for more than 70 years in Eyre Square and is now in the Galway City Museum, will be the subject of a public lecture.
Dr Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch will speak about the statue in the Galway City Museum on Saturday March 24 at 2.30pm as part of the museum’s ongoing commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the writer’s birth.
From the moment of its unveiling in Eyre Square the Ó Conaire Monument became an iconic image of Galway. Throughout its years on the Square the statue attracted the attention of tourists and vandals (being infamously beheaded 1999 ), as well as a great degree of controversy – with public outrage being expressed every time the statue was moved by the authorities.
Dr Lynch’s talk will focus on the commissioning of the monument, from its inception in 1929 (a year after Ó Conaire's death ) to it’s unveiling by Éamon de Valera in 1935.
Admission is free of charge but booking is advisable. To reserve a space contact 091 - 532460 or email [email protected]