Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => General Chat => Topic started by: Daithi2004 on February 23, 2013
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I heard about this today is this true? or a joke?
"In what could be a major boost for tourism in the West of Ireland, a Canadian sculptor is currently working on a proposal to erect a 100 foot bronze statue of St Patrick on the summit of Croagh Patrick.
The $10m (€7.5m) artwork is the brainchild of Tim Schmalz, who has already designed numerous religious pieces around the country, including a significant statue of Ireland’s patron saint at Knock Shrine and a recently completed one of Saint Brigid of Kildare.
The statue, which is being dubbed the ‘Peak in the Reak’, has already drawn comparisons to Rio’s world-renowned Christ the Redeemer and New York’s infamous Statue of Liberty.
Although Schmalz has already established sponsorship for the statue, he wants this gift to the Irish people to be paid for by the North American people, rather than the government.
Mayo County Council, however, said it has not been approached about the plans."
Source:
http://www.irishcatholic.ie/20130221/news/100ft-statue-planned-for-croagh-patrick-S30879.html
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for 10 million i'll put a statue on any mountain you like, seems strange he didn't apply for planning permission first ???
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Seems to be genuine:
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Sculptor-seeks-sponsors-of-largest-St-Patrick-statue-in-the-world-for-County-Mayo-190391041.html
PS... Anybody fancy taking a Dander to the top of Croagh Patrick in the summer before they decide to ruin the look of it by sticking a big statue on the top!!!
It's only 86 metres shy of Donard so it would be a decent day out :)
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It is a cracking looking mountain, a day out could easily be spoiled by a congested hill and keyring sellers.
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It is a cracking looking mountain, a day out could easily be spoiled by a congested hill and keyring sellers.
Yeah, could be a problem!!! We could always try and find an alternative route to the summit, to avoid the barefooted pilgrims, or just go up the tourist path and take a load of NI Wild Keyrings with us to sell on the way up ;)
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I would be up for it, was staying in Westport at the start of the month and was eyeing it up, but alas my friend isn't a great hill walker so I just viewed it from the car park. It is a 3 hr trip up and down.. Definitely doable in a day.
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Good idea. As regards an alternative here is a comment from on http://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/ which might answer your qustion for an alternative route. I have done it but it was a long time ago. My suggestion would be start at the location they recomend and finish at the Murrisk Car Park. It would involve leaving cars in both car parks.
(http://www.imra.ie/maps/CroaghPatrick__new_route.jpg)