Almost 5,000 Phil Lynott fans turned out in Dublin's Grafton Street yesterday evening for the unveiling of a statue of the lead singer of the rock band Thin Lizzy, writes Fiona Gartland.
The life-size bronze, by Paul Daly, was unveiled by Lynott's mother Philomena at a moving ceremony attended by former band members and friends of the rocker, as well as fans from all over the world.
They hung from the windows of the Westbury hotel and from upstairs in Bruxelles bar in Harry Street, waiting for the unveiling and a first glimpse of "Philo". Dancin' in the Moonlight blasted out and 150 invited guests clutched their drinks and stood inside the barrier around the statue, which was draped in black wrap.
The threatened rain held off as Lord Mayor Catherine Byrne told the enthusiastic and occasionally heckling crowd that her favourite song was Whiskey in the Jar, and thanked Philomena Lynott for giving the city "her wonderful son".
When the moment finally arrived for the unveiling, a roar went up from the crowd and Ms Lynott drew back the sheet and revealed the bronze Philo leaning on a guitar, upturned collar, necktie flapping, hooped earring glistening in the evening light.
Smiley Bolger, a friend of Lynott's and a member of an earlier band, Skid Row, said the rocker would have loved the swagger.
"This was his strut, all around here. I'm very glad they've done this, it's very nice but it would be nicer if he was here. I miss him a lot," he said.