PLANS to relocate the Púca to North Clare remain on track despite claims that a new contract would need to be signed to make this a reality.
Ennistymon was due to be the home of the Púca with the €30,000 artwork the winning entry of nineteen submissions for a €500,000 scheme aimed at revitalising the North Clare town. However, local opposition prompted Clare County Council to pause plans for its installation and last week confirmed the statue would not be making Ennistymon its home and announced plans to start an expression of interest process for the Púca to reside elsewhere in North Clare.
720 persons engaged with a survey in November organised by the Council. 43.6% of respondents saying they ‘Really disliked’ the artwork compared to 34.3% who ‘Really liked’ it. While many disliked both the artwork itself and its proposed location in the town, a proportion of submissions were divided between the two.
Aidan Harte, the artist behind the Púca told The Clare Echo that a new contract would be required if the Council wished to relocate it in another part of the county. “I own the sculpture and have not consented to any alternative arrangement. I’ve invited Clare County Council to clarify their plans by the end of the month. Absent that clarification, the Púca will be going elsewhere,” the Kilkenny man stated.
As per the existing contract, Clare County Council can relocate the Púca, a spokesperson told The Clare Echo. “In keeping with the terms of the signed contract agreement between Clare County Council and the artist, the Local Authority reserves the right to relocate the work from its original site or location”.
Community groups in North Clare will be invited to submit their expressions of interest within the next fortnight. “Expressions of Interest will be sought from community groups within this Local Electoral Area as the artwork is inspired by the folklore and equine heritage of North Clare. This process will commence in the next fortnight and will be advertised via local media and Clare County Council’s website, www.clarecoco.ie. Community groups also will be engaged through Elected Members and Clare PPN”.
Prominent members of communities such as Crusheen and Scariff voiced their wish to see the Púca considered for their area but the Council insist it will remain in the North Clare electoral area.
Corofin is among the areas expressing a strong desire to welcome the Púca permanently. In an initial poll conducted by Corofin Tidy Towns, an approximate 60 percent of respondents wanted to see the statue in the locality which is likely to influence community leaders in submitting an expression of interest.
