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20 Oct 2025
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20 Oct 2025
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The Limerick Chronicle published this drawing of Catherine Hayes in 1849
A LOCAL historian believes a statue should be erected around the Opera Square development to honour the woman who gave the project its name.
The €200m scheme, which is taking shape on land behind Patrick Street in the city centre, has been given its unique name in honour of opera singer Catherine Hayes.
The soprano was born in 1818 at Patrick Street, and performed all over the world during her 43 years.
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Now, Dr Paul O’Brien of Mary Immaculate College thinks it is time she is honoured in her native city.
“She sang all over the world. She sang for Queen Victoria. She performed in Australia, Italy and on American tours. She is buried in London, so we do not on a daily basis have the opportunity to go to her grave and lay flowers and say a few words,” said Dr O’Brien.
“Yet her legacy has been borrowed for Opera. Most people are unaware of that legacy. I would have thought this could be a perfect chance to have a statue to explain it,” the historian added.
Can we have a Catherine Hayes statue or mural in #Limerick? The Opera Square project is named for her, yet the city has never honoured her with a permanent monument. 2026 will mark 165 years since her death. @LimerickCouncil @limerick_2030 More info: https://t.co/vEcouZif9S pic.twitter.com/dp7BpIwT95
— Dr Paul O'Brien (@FearStairLmk) August 20, 2025
The academic believes the council has money available for a project of this sort, pointing to the aborted plan to have a piece of public art at the chicane in O’Connell Street.
“We have Terry Wogan, we have Anthony Foley, we have the Singer from Quimper, who is the representation of a woman. Why not give a statue to Catherine Hayes?” he suggested. “I think it’s an easy win”.
“Wouldn’t it be great to have the city bookended by two heroes? Catherine Hayes on Rutland Street and Daniel O’Connell up at the Crescent,” he added.
The year 2026 will mark 165 years since the passing of Ms Hayes, who had more than 35 performance roles in her repertoire.
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