Plan for John Joe O'Reilly statue in Cavan Town revealed

News

Details of an exciting new project which will see Cavan footballing legend John Joe O’Reilly commemorated with a statue in Cavan Town have been revealed this morning.

The sculpture of Cavan’s most iconic footballing hero will be located at the Market Square in the town and will be created by internationally renowned artist Seamus Connolly.

A committee, chaired by Cllr John Paul Feeley (Shannon Gaels), has been in place since February last and after months of planning, they have today launched an online fundraising initiative in order to meet the costs of completing the project, estimated to be in the region of €70,000.

“John Joe O’Reilly is an iconic figure for all Cavan people, not just in the GAA family. His story is known far and wide, he is a national figure and it’s only right that someone like him would be recognised,” stated Cllr Feeley.

“It is also opportune given that the 75th anniversary of the famous Polo Grounds All-Ireland final and the 70th anniversary of John Joe’s passing both fall in Autumn next year.

“In so doing, we are also recognising all of those who played with him over the years.

“Cavan County Coiuncil are very supportive of it and are co-operative in a very practical way towards the locating of the site in a public place in Cavan Town. At the moment that site looks like it will be part of the Market Square in front of the post office.

“It will be accessible to people, it will be a piece of art that everyone can interact with and hopefully it will inspire others to maybe take on similar projects in other parts of the town or county to recognise people of significance who have contributed positively to life in our county.”

Secretary of the committee, Lochlann Egan (Castlerahan), stated: “John Joe was revered throughout our island during his short life, not just as an outstanding exponent of our national game but as a symbol of true sportsmanship, always generous in victory and gracious in defeat.

“He is someone whom Cavan people are proud to call one of their own and someone who is undoubtedly worthy of such a monument. We would appeal to the Cavan public far and wide, and indeed anyone with a passion for Gaelic Games, to support the fundraising efforts. No donation is too small and all would be hugely appreciated.

“This statue is something that all Cavan people will be proud of, and the committee are delighted to have engaged a sculptor of undeniable repute in Seamus Connolly.”

Widely recognised as one of Ireland's leading portrait and bronze sculptors, Seamus' portfolio of previous works includes some of the country's best-known statues, including several GAA icons. Among his celebrated works are Paidí Ó Sé in Ventry, Dermot Earley and Gerry O'Malley in Roscommon, Mick Mackey in Limerick, John F Kennedy in Bruff, Co Limerick and John B Keane in Listowel, Co Kerry.

“When I first heard about the project, what I immediately thought was that this would be somewhere for sportspeople and followers to come together, this would be a really inspirational piece,” Connolly said.

“It could be a gathering place for people, a team that wins a championship for example, and it’s also a reminder to the people of Cavan that the county have won All-Irelands and will do again.

“He’s a fantastic subject, he’s got a great face, there are good photographs of him. He was a good looking individual, he had a great smile and features for a piece of sculpture.”

John Joe O’Reilly, born in the Derries in Killeshandra in 1918, learned his football with the famed Cornafean in the 1930s and captained Cavan to All-Ireland SFC successes in 1947, in New York, and 1948.

The youngest commandant in the history of the Irish army, ‘the Gallant John Joe’ was a universally beloved figure nationwide. He died tragically at the age of 34 in November 1952.

While Cavan have won five All-Ireland senior titles, there is currently no significant permanent artwork publicly commemorating any of these successes in the county. In fact, it is believed there are no GAA statues in Ulster at all.

Other members of the committee are as follows: Arthur Sullivan (Asst Secretary), Jimmy Finlay (Dublin Branch Officer), George Cartwright (Author, The Gallant John Joe: Cavan’s Millennium Man), Paul Fitzpatrick (Anglo-Celt), Mark O’Rourke (Vice-chairman, Cavan county board) and Susan Brady (PRO, Cavan county board).

To donate to the fundraising efforts, click on this link.

For more information, contact johnjoememorial@gmail.com or see Twitter here and Facebook here.