Achill based sculptor Ronan Halpin’s piece The Sentinel has been selected as the winning sculpture to mark and celebrate The Irish Times Best place to live in Ireland award won by Westport in 2012.
The bronze sculpture, which is five metres in height, and is of an inspirational winged figure alighting a horse, will be located at the Peter Street/Quay Hill junction.
The €53,000 Sentinel will be installed along with associated surrounding hard landscaping works towards the end of this year.
At the town council meeting last week councillor Michael McLaughlin said that he was very impressed by this “very contemporary and iconic piece”. Cllr Margaret Adams said it was a “ fine piece of work” and Cllr Keith Martin said that it was a “very interesting and excellent piece of art”.
The location of the sculpture caused some debate. Cllr Myles Staunton said that it was a dangerous location and asked whether a different location could be considered. Cllr Brendan Mulroy agreed that it would get lost at this very busy junction. Cllr Christy said that another location should be sought for the artwork.
Cathaoirleach of the council Cllr Ollie Gannon said the statue of St Patrick should be taken down from the Octagon as “plenty of people come along and ask what the hell is that on top” and the sculpture be erected in its place instead.
Town architect Simon Wall said that the piece sought was site specific as set out in the competition rules so the location cannot be changed.
