Banagher Statue Of Johnny McEvoy Unveiled
Thursday, 15 December 2011
A stunning statue, hand-carved into the trunk of an 80-year-old chestnut tree in Banagher's town centre, was unveiled as a tribute to Banagher's proudest son, Johnny McEvoy last Sunday.
The unveiling ceremony, which was attended by the man of the moment and a large crowd of local people and fans, saw a heart-warming rendition of Johnny's ode to the town of his birth 'The Town I Left Behind' by the choir of St. Rynagh's national school - a lamenting ode to the town of his birth and a song which has become a much-loved town anthem.
Located directly across the street from the very house where the world-renowned songsmith was born and adjacent to Banagher's picturesque Shannonside marina, the statue is sure to become a much visited focal point for fans of the famous artist.
Johnny recalled for the large gathering who braved the bad weather how, in 1965, he gave his first ever public performance on Banagher bridge at the Fleadh Cheoil: 'Nobody knew who I was then and it's nice to think in years to come people will see the statue and say "who the hell is he?" If it becomes only a perch for the pigeons, then at least they will be Banagher pigeons,' he modestly joked.
The statue, carved by Zimbabwean artist Paradzai Havatitye, is cut into the trunk of a tree once planted by Dr. Joseph Dalton, who remarkably delivered Johnny when he was a newborn baby. The tree is a well-known local landmark, having provided the town's children with conkers and chestnuts for several generations.
The tree, which is reputed to have been struck by lightening, had many stones embedded deep within its trunk and branches after years of children throwing stones to knock loose chestnuts and the committee behind the statue spent one and a half days extracting stones and old nails after several hundred posters for elections and local events were mounted on the tree over the years. One stone, which was left within the statue, is located at the very place where Johnny's heart would be.
Mr. Havatitye, whose work can also be seen in Ballinahown's 'The Pilgrim' and Pullough's 'The Bog Man' statues, scorched the wood of the old tree and used a series of chainsaws and chisels to reveal the stunning effigy. Because of the nature of the wood, which although rotten was still alive in many parts of the trunk, the artist took several months to complete the work, allowing adequate time for the wood to be treated against further disintegration.
In honour of the song penned by Johnny immortalising the town of his birth, the words 'Banagher, you'll be my town until the day I die,' are carved into the rear of the statue.
Sean Corrigan, of the Corner House and the man behind 'The Corner Boys,' was the driving force behind the new statue and told the Tribune Johnny was 'very taken aback' by the gesture and described him as a 'great ambassador for Banagher.'
'The idea emerged out of the St. Patrick's Day Parade after Johnny was the Grand Marshall for the first Banagher parade,' Mr. Corrigan said. 'We very much wanted to pay tribute to Johnny and all he has done for the town. The people of Banagher are very proud of their famous son and it's always lovely to be honoured by your own.'
Mr Corrigan extended his warm gratitude towards Banagher Tidy Towns, who will maintain and look after the statue and Padraig Curley, who completed the stonework adorning the base of the statue.
Following the unveiling ceremony Johnny travelled to Banagher Nursing Home and performed several songs at the residents Christmas Party.
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