COUNCILLORS IN DUBLIN have approved a plan to build a statue of Roger Casement by the old Victorian baths in Dún Laoghaire.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council last night passed a proposal to commission a statue of the Irish nationalist, who was sentenced to death in 1916 for his role in planning the Easter Rising.
The statue is to be erected along the walkway connecting the parkland areas at Newtownsmith with the beach area at Queen’s Road.
The redevelopment of Dún Laoghaire’s baths, which have been closed since 1997, was approved by local councillors last year.
The €2.75 million makeover will see the derelict pool being replaced by artists’ studios and a gallery café.
Casement was born to an Anglo-Irish family in nearby Sandycove in 1864 and served as a British diplomat before helping to form the Irish Volunteers.
1916 links
Independent councillor Victor Boyhan, who proposed a motion in support of the statue, said: “Like so many Ulster Protestants, the Casement family came, settled and contributed to the life of Kingstown, now Dún Laoghaire.
“It is befitting that the town should honour this great Irishman.”
People Before Profit councillor Hugh Lewis said the decision was an importance gesture ahead of the Easter Rising commemoration.
Dún Laoghaire isn’t known for its links to 1916. Historically, it’s often been considered to have stronger imperialist sympathies than other parts of the country.
This statue will show that people like Roger Casement are a deep-rooted part of our history.
Lewis said the planning process was at an early stage but that the statue will likely be built while the baths are renovated over the coming year.
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