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THE WELL-KNOWN statue of Thin Lizzy rocker Phil Lynott in Dublin city centre has disappeared from its moorings.
The statue, which has become something of a tourist fixture on Harry Street, just off Grafton Street, went missing late on Friday evening.
Since being unveiled by Lynott’s (who died in 1986) mother Philomena in 2005, the statue has been removed a number of times, mostly for repairs.
In fact, the bronze sculpture’s most recent disappearance was as recently as early this year, when it sustained damage after being hit by a truck. It was returned to its iconic station in late May.
So you might have expected it to remain in place for a little longer than the five months it has.
However, there is no need for concern – Dublin City Council confirmed to TheJournal.ie that Phil has been put ‘in storage’ for a few months to allow for the repaving of Harry Street.
“They’re about to start the repaving works,” a spokesperson told us.
“They probably took it away late at night so as not to upset pedestrians.”
The whole thing is part of the upgrade of the Grafton Street’s pedestrianisation.
So we can expect to see Phil back in town in due course?
“He’ll be back some time after Christmas we estimate,” the spokesperson said.
The statue has become a well-loved part of the furniture between Bruxelles and McDaids pubs, just off Dublin’s main shopping thoroughfare.
But it has suffered its fair share of indignities over its 12-year existence.
The statue’s guitar has been stolen at least once, while in May 2013 two men were arrested after pushing the statue over and seriously damaging its coat.
In September 2015, meanwhile, another motorist accidentally hit the sculpture, leaving Lynott with a broken bass guitar and several loose strings.
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That’s it dig up Harry st at the busiest time of the year!!! Makes perfect sense to me….
@Dario Fo: It’s more then likely they have to spent their budget by the end of the year or they will not get as much next year…
Essential reading.
Hope whoever took it had an alibi.
@Toon Army: they’re waiting for one
Does anyone know if we have a statue/sculpture of a Dubliner on O’Connell Street?? We have Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Liverpool, Wickla’ ??? Maybe we should start a campaign to have a Dubliner remembered on the Main Street of the Capital…?????
@Paul Maher: Bertie?
@Paul Maher: I hope you mean Ronnie Drew or Luke Kelly.
@Paul Maher: Yeh Heffo & Jim Gavin should be the 1st two
@Martin Carter[#No2x]: NO
@Martin Carter[#No2x]: yep!
The council should add more bronze statues to Harry street and other side streets around there of some of Dublins best known and loved characters of the likes of the Dubliners or Joyce or U2 and more.
Hollywood boulevard is full of stars on the footpath in honour of ‘stars’ ,most of whom are not even ‘from’ Hollywood!
Yes Phil was born in england but he grew up in Dublin. The likes of Phil and many other characters have put Dublin on the map for many a global traveller so perhaps it would be nice for Dublin to show its gatitude back to them.
Is this really news? Tabloid journalism fit for the showbiz pages of the Star. Just awful.
@Mocky: I’d give that l
@Paul Maher: I’d give that comment a like Mocky if you weren’t anonymous
Revaping?
@Phil O’Connor: “facilitate the repaving of Harry Street.” – yes, just vaping in that street, no smoking !
Statue of the great should be moved to the top of Grafrim steet facing the green
Needs to be in a more prominent place fitting to his legacy in Irish rock .
sure miss you honey , when your not around…
did,nt realise the first one went missing
@Christy Pop: think it was vandalised and needed a repair job a few years back
In the scrap yard with any luck… ugly looking thing.
Vagabonds
ye
He’s off on a tour… you never know he might turn up in OConnell St. Surprised a statue of Rory Gallagher hasn’t joined him.
have your say