Current and former lord mayor unveil refurbished Cork sculpture 

Mr Dennehy said unveiling the restored sculpture alongside his father was “especially meaningful” as he was “a driving force” behind the Cork 800 celebrations.
Current and former lord mayor unveil refurbished Cork sculpture 

Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy unveiling the restored sculpture, ‘Off Shore’, in Blackrock alongside his father, former lord mayor John Dennehy, who played a central role in securing the original sculpture. Picture: Clare Keogh

The recently-restored ‘Off Shore’ sculpture at Blackrock was unveiled this week by Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy.

The restored piece, originally created by renowned sculptor John Burke, was unveiled on Monday by Mr Dennehy and his father, former lord mayor John Dennehy — who played a central role in the original Cork 800 programme, from which the sculpture emerged.

Mr Dennehy said unveiling the restored sculpture alongside his father was “especially meaningful” as he was “a driving force” behind the Cork 800 celebrations.

“This restoration ensures the work can continue to be appreciated by residents and visitors for many years to come,” 

said Mr Dennehy.

Mr Burke, who died in 2006, was a pioneering sculpturist who was one of the most significant figures in the history of sculpture in Ireland in the second half of the 20th century.

He was also instrumental in defining sculptural practice in Ireland during the 1970s, and as a lecturer at the Crawford School of Art, influenced a generation of prominent Irish artists, including Eilís O’Connell, Vivienne Roche, Maud Cotter, and Jim Buckley.

His piece, ‘Off Shore’, was commissioned in 1985 as part of a sculpture symposium held at the former AnCO training centre in Bishopstown, and was supported by Cork 800 — the programme established by the then Cork Corporation to mark the 800th anniversary of the city’s 1185 charter.

The restoration of ‘Off Shore’ was supported by the members of Cork City Council’s south east local area committee and Cork City Council’s arts office.

The Council’s arts office also restored the large John Burke sculpture, ‘Kingfisher’, at Wilton roundabout in collaboration with the south west local area committee in 2021.

These pieces, and Mr Burke’s ‘The Red Cardinal’ at the Department of Health in Dublin, are among his most enduring public works.

more #Cork City Council articles

Catherine Corless ‘absolutely horrified’ by Bessborough apartments plan  Catherine Corless ‘absolutely horrified’ by Bessborough apartments plan 
Three years on residents of Cork estate say mould and rodent issues still not addressed Three years on residents of Cork estate say mould and rodent issues still not addressed
End of an era as Ted Tynan retires from Cork council End of an era as Ted Tynan retires from Cork council

More in this section

Traffic delays in Bishopstown this morning as 6,000 students attend MTU schools' sports day Traffic delays in Bishopstown this morning as 6,000 students attend MTU schools' sports day
Cork Airport prepares for busy weekend as summer routes return Cork Airport prepares for busy weekend as summer routes return
Future of Sunday's Well post office in Cork is now in doubt Future of Sunday's Well post office in Cork is now in doubt

Sponsored Content

Gas Networks Ireland, committed to conserving and enhancing biodiversity Gas Networks Ireland, committed to conserving and enhancing biodiversity
 EirGrid, ensuring nature thrives in journey to cleaner energy future EirGrid, ensuring nature thrives in journey to cleaner energy future
The future is flexible for cleaner energy use in business The future is flexible for cleaner energy use in business
Contact Us Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Add Echolive.ie to your home screen - easy access to Cork news, views, sport and more