But now, perhaps two thousand years later, Galvia – as she is known in Latin, is set to return; seven feet high in shimmering bronze, but due to a few unforeseeable project delays, she is running a bit late...
The sculpture of the woman legend dictates is the source of Galway city’s name was expected last summer, along Droichead an Dóchais, Galway’s newest bridge, which links Newtownsmith with Nuns Island. It spans waterways on three different levels: Friars’ River, the River Corrib and Distillery River, and is even shortlisted for the New Civil Engineer magazine’s prestigious 2025 International Bridge Project of the Year award, to be announced in July.
Completed in 2023, the €10million pedestrian and cycle bridge was officially opened by former mayor, Councillor Eddie Hoare, one year ago this month, but at the unveiling there was no sign of the statue Gailbhe, designed by renowned sculptor Alan Clarke.
His concept of the mysterious Firbolg princess was selected in the summer of 2023 from a panel of 26 other artistic expressions of interest. Clarke is the only Irishman ever to be admitted to the international Society of Portrait Sculptors, and his first public work for Galway city is keenly anticipated. He is also well-known for his sideline in illustrating Paul Howard’s Ross O’Carroll-Kelly novels.
Clarke says the sculpture, which the tax payer budgeted €47,750 for, including fees, materials, labour and VAT, is sitting ready in his Wicklow workshop. The next stage of the project is a detailed installation plan, with input from the artist and three different local authority offices required.
It is understood the sculpture will be located on the limestone plaza on the Cathedral side of the bridge, which has slowly become a new public space for artists over the past two years. Indeed, musicians are increasingly spotted playing along the new bridge, and Gailbhe will include a nod to the 'music' of the riverscape.
In the wake of news that ATU may be forced to apply for planning retention for a John Behan sculpture, Megalithic Memories, in its grounds, it is hoped that Gailbhe does not hit any planning snags. That might be the ultimate Galwegian insult to a two thousand year return. Does a giant riverine woman clutching a musical instrument need planning permission?
Nobody really seems to know. Questions sent in to the relevant authorities by the Advertiser were considered somewhat premature.
So, quite literally: watch this (riverside ) space! Something special is coming to Galway city later this year, and sources close to the project are hinting at a wonderful documentary on the creation of the statue too.
With questions and delays and desperate demand for housing, ring roads, trams, trains and flood defences, will the arrival of Gailbhe herald the start of the beginning for new infrastructure in Galway city? Dubs and visitors have been warned to stop rubbing the late Jeanne Rynhart's Molly Malone's brassy voluptitude. Will we too worship our bronze heroine for luck?
Soon a new presence - a statue - will be added to the lore of the mighty Corrib and her streams, which have weaved their paths through our city since before it was born. When a father mourned his drowned daughter, and ancient places – perhaps – began to grow more permanent names.
