Irish and Irish Americans react to proposal for giant St. Patrick statue in Mayo – POLL

Mixed feelings over Statue of Liberty-style gift from North America

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Timothy Schmalz's statue of St. Patrick at Our Lady's shrine in Knock, Mayo

Photo by Timothy Schmalz

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IrishCentral.com Poll

Would you support a 100-foot statue of St. Patrick's being erected on Croagh Patrick, County Mayo?

Yes

No

Maybe

Reactions to the Canadian sculptor’s idea to build a 100-foot statue of St. Patrick, on Croagh Patrick, have being coming into IrishCentral and it seems that the mood on the idea is split among our readers. 

Tim Schmalz wished to spread his idea of a 100-foot St Patrick he proposes to install on top of Croagh Patrick, a Mayo peak associated with the legend of the Ireland’s patron saint. 

Schmalz’s concept is that, like the Statue of Liberty, this statue would be paid for by the people of North America and so it would be a gift to the Irish. He sees it as a way for North Americans to thank Ireland for its gift of culture, a way of recognizing the patron saint and also creating commerce for Ireland through tourism. 

Some of the IrishCentral readers don’t agree with the idea. Michael Everson wrote to IrishCentral, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring, and his Labour Party Councillor Keith Martin. His subject was simply “Leave my Reek alone" 

PHOTOS:The statues of St. Patrick and St. Brigid by Timothy Schmalz - slideshow

Everson told IrishCentral: “I am no enemy of the arts, but the last thing I want is for some giant Christian icon to blight my view of Cruach an Aigile, the Eagle's Heap, also known as Cruach Phádraig, Croagh Patrick, and The Reek.

"The natural beauty of the place we live will not be enhanced by some São-Paolo-like idol.”

On the site,commenters such as Rebelforce had similar views stating that the statue, “Probably the last thing St Patrick would have desired would be for a 100 ft bronze statue of himself erected atop a mountain in Ireland.”

Others however saw think Schmalz’s concept is a “a truly lovely gesture.”

One commenter Robin Forester even said, “The statue I hope will go ahead but surely it should be 200 foot high, one hand raised facing America, with the words inscribed on the base "We Love you Brother.""

What do you think? Should Ireland accept a 100-foot statue of St. Patrick? Take our poll (above). 

Read more: Famed sculptor plans largest St. Patrick statue in the world for County Mayo

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