Community urged to help replace stricken statue at Limerick cathedral
The statue was commissioned in June, 2020, to commemorate King of Munster and founder of Saint Mary's Cathedral, Donal Mór O'Brien.
THE wooden statue of Donal Mór O'Brien at Saint Mary's Cathedral is to be replaced following the irreversible deterioration and its eventual collapse due to nearly six years of exposure to the elements.
The statue was commissioned in June, 2020, to commemorate King of Munster and founder of Saint Mary's Cathedral, Donal Mór O'Brien.
The Reverend Scott E. Elliot – who is currently serving as curate-assistant to the Limerick City Parish – described the statue as a “focal point for those in the community”.
“In a sense, the statue was a visual aid to help to capture the people’s imagination and to celebrate the legacy of King Donal Mór O'Brien - it was something there to be enjoyed. We want to honour the legacy of the King, we want to celebrate our Irish heritage and commemorate those of the past,” said Rev Elliot.
Crafted by renowned Limerick woodworker Will Fogarty, the statue served as a powerful visual representation of Limerick's rich heritage, connecting the visitors and the wider community with the city's origins and cultural identity.
“We are very proud of our cathedral grounds. The statue itself was made of wood that was felled from one of the cathedral trees. It's all about sustainability, looking at ecology and being sustainable with our resources,” Rev Elliot shared.
Posting on Saint Mary's Cathedral social media accounts, it was explained that the commissioning of a replacement statue will help to “preserve and promote the historical legacy of Donal Mór O'Brien and Saint Mary's Cathedral, enhance the visitor experience for local, national, and international tourists, support cultural education and interpretation within Limerick's Medieval Quarter, and showcase the work of skilled artists and craftspeople.”
A fundraising campaign with an initial target of €2,000 was launched on GoFundMe, with Rev Elliot noting that donations from community members will cover only a portion of the cost and that the total fee for a new commission will be “somewhat higher” than the target.
Saint Mary's Cathedral are asking for "your help" to "keep the story of King Donal alive", stating on GoFundMe that "every contribution, no matter the size, will help preserve this important part of our shared history for future generations".
Donations can be made online at https://gofund.me/5a7122c9c