Galway City Council has found a "piece" of a missing State-funded sculpture work which was commissioned more than 20 years ago from artist Eddie Delaney.
However, the local authority has admitted that the sculpture is beyond repair, and says it intends to work with the Delaney family on a replacement or some form of tribute to the internationally-renowned artist. The piece of sculpture was found in a council storage yard.
The Mayo-born artist was granted the commission in 1986, with the €10,000 prize fund provided by the Department of Environment as part of the State's scheme for providing public art.
The six-metre stainless steel artwork was created to mark the opening of the city's new Quincentenary bridge across the river Corrib. It was installed on the new bridge and was due to be illuminated, but the lighting was never provided and the piece was removed for repair after it was damaged in high winds. Then it went missing.
Delaney has represented Ireland internationally and his work includes the statue of Wolfe Tone and the famine memorial at St Stephen's Green, Dublin, and the statue of Thomas Davis on College Green, Dublin. He also founded a sculpture park in Carraroe, Co Galway.
Eamon Delaney, the artist's son, who is editor of Magill magazine, told The Irish Timeshe was glad it had been found and it was a shame about the condition. However, the family looked forward to working with the city council on a replacement.
