*Photograph: Joe Buckley
SHANNON’s history of aviation and industry is set to be showcased as part of new design concepts for roundabouts in the town.
Aviation themed sculptures are among the designs to be considered as efforts to commence to honour Shannon’s story in the roundabouts situated across the town.
Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) in a proposal before the Shannon Municipal District asked how the local authority could “expedite impactful roundabout design concepts in Shannon, potentially including aviation themed sculptures reflecting Shannon’s Aviation and Industrial history”.
Senior executive officer in the Shannon MD, Suzie Clifford confirmed that they were “working proactively” with the Shannon Aviation Museum, the Michael Guinee Charitable Trust, Shannon Chamber and industry representatives “to establish roundabout design concepts. This group will also identify appropriate funding streams to deliver inspiring roundabouts in Shannon”.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Mulcahy commented, “like everything if you have a vision you need to have a drive around and look at it, talk to the different agencies and see who may be able to help”.
He added, “Most of the people who come into our town and our Municipal District go straight to the Airport, they know there is a flight at the end of their journey but not much else on what is going on”.
Shannon must be become better at telling its story through symbols, Cllr Mulcahy maintained. “When you drive into a seaside village you can see a boat, we need to uplift the presence of our airport and industrial base and showcase what we do offer, not what we want to deliver but what we have done since Brendan O’Regan set out his vision, none of us would be here without his vision, I did my breakfast training in this room dare I say it 50 years ago, if we don’t continue the vision then we are wrong”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr James Ryan (SF) quipped, “as a trained sculptor can I put in a bid”. He stated, “the more public art the better, this is a great idea”.
