Wiilie's return to Miltown : unveiling of sculpture

Uilleann Pipes
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Last minute preparation are taking place in Miltown Malbay for the unveiling, later today, of a sculpture by Shane Gilmore of Willie Clancy.

Some years ago a presentation of a bronze bust of Willie Clancy by Shane Gilmore was made to Oidreacht an Chláir by Judith and Barry Merrill. The bust came out so well and was so well received the couple decided they would commission a sculpture of Willie, to be placed in a public space in Miltown Malbay, and present this to the people of Clare.

Shane Gilmore was set to work and eventually a location in the middle of the Main street was chosen. The official unveiling, by Liam O Flynn, will take place later today.

A few last details were sorted by the sculptor this morning:

Willie is set to forever play the Taylor set with the Crowley chanter.

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That’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing that, Mr. Gumby.

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You would think they would’ve waited until Willie Clancy week when there would have been many more people there to witness the unveiling.

RORY

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Well, the statue was presented to the people of Clare and plenty of them came out, including the deputy mayor, half the county council, the tidy towns people and every other man and his dog as well.

Here the Rose of Clare and some of the media present:

the unwrapping :

Liam O Flynn and the Merrills doing the photo opp:

Some of the speakers (relevant to the forum, believe me, there were more and they all talked for Ireland):

Pat Mitchell:




Liam O Flynn:




And right at the end the musicianers:


Sean




And

Cian Talty:





By the time it was all over it was very wet and too dark out to get a decent shot of Willie without the wrapping and the crowds so that will come tomorrow.

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What a fitting tribute to Willie Clancy. Isn’t it great to see the community taking such pride in an uilleann piper. Willie would most likely be embarrassed by all the attention, but one would be hard-pressed to find anyone more worthy.

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Thanks for the photos and report Peter. This will be The new photy destination for pipers!

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Not quite the weather to shoot sculptures, rain and white skies galore, but here are a few snaps of the statue. Casts were made of several items: Willie’s toolbox and pipecase, the chair he played on. The pipes were copied to exacting standards, a carving was made after the original which was made available to the sculptor (making a cast wasn’t really feasible, obviously). All very lifelike and detailed. Not sure about the three top fingers off for C but that’s nitpicking.

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Hmmm… the artist definately caught the naughty twinkle in Willie’s eye!

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It will be great to see musicians playing around the statue with the man himself looking over them.

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Great to see this statue of Willie Clancy in place. Fine photographs from Peter too. Look forward to seeing Willie’s statue live :thumbsup:

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Not quite the weather to shoot sculptures, rain and white skies galore

Normal weather for the region and will at least keep the statue clean :slight_smile:

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I’m imagining little desktop-sized bronzes of this…
Yer man could retire comfortably.

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Willie Clancy week ? Yep, been there… got the Statuette! :thumbsup:

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And this year, the Willie for Best C Natural in a Slow Air goes to… James O’Brien-Moran in The Old Coolun! Step up Sir Jamesy! Do we have the clip? yes, here we go…

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A fine job by Shane Gilmore, and fair play to the Merrills for funding it. It’s something we can be proud of. :thumbsup:

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Always enjoy the photos. Thank you for posting them.

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Irish Times article

Clare Herald

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Great to see the statue itself Peter. I’ll have to get home to see it first hand some day.

Patrick.