The official unveiling of a statue to the late Bryan MacMahon at Listowel Castle will not take place as planned next week because of a planning difficulty.
The €27,000 bronze life-size statue by sculptor Hugh Hanratty was to have been unveiled alongside the newly-restored Anglo-Norman castle and adjoining Seanchaí Literary Centre on Sunday, June 5th.
The unveiling by Senator Maurice Hayes was to have been part of Listowel Writers' Week.
The opening of the castle had also been in doubt over a planning difficulty raised by Fianna Fáil town councillors. However, it was confirmed yesterday that the opening by Minister of State Tom Parlon would go ahead .
Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan, chairman of the North Kerry Literary Trust, which is behind the proposal to erect the statue said planning had been delayed because councillors and planners had looked for additional information on the proposal.
The statue had now received permission, but had to wait the statutory four weeks in case of appeal to An Bord Pleanála. The statue will be unveiled during the summer.
Listowel produced two of the most prominent writers of the 20th century in Bryan MacMahon and John B Keane. Both did more than anyone has ever done to honour Listowel and both were totally unselfish in their commitment to the town, Mr Deenihan said yesterday.
Two years ago, also on the eve of writers' week, controversy surrounded an attempt to rename the town square after MacMahon and to erect a bust to Keane. A public row erupted between councillors after Fianna Fáil members insisted on a plebiscite on the square's name change. The Keane and MacMahon families issued a joint statement condemning the "unseemly politically inspired debate" and asked for dignity to be restored.
Last month the official opening of the castle was in doubt after councillors insisted a raised performance area in front needed planning permission.