‘Left as it is, this site presents a genuine safety risk to the public’ – warning over condition of Teeling Monument

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Calls have been made for funding to be made available for safety and restoration works at the Teeling Monument, Collooney.

The iconic monument was erected in 1898, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Irish Rebellion.

Standing on the site of the Battle of Collooney, the momument depicts Captain Bartholomew Teeling standing atop a limestone obelisk. The monument honours Teeling’s remarkable bravery.

Cllr Fergal Nealon’s motion before the July meeting of Sligo County Council called for the Local Authority to work alongside the newly formed Teeling Monument Restoration Committee to assist with the provision of funding towards the urgent safety and restoration works at the Teeling Monument, Collooney.

He called for safe access and for the securing of “this nationally significant historical site and developing its potential as a visitor atttraction for Collooney and the wider north-west.”

Speaking to the motion, Cllr Nealon commented, “Left as it is, this site presents a genuine safety risk to the public.”

Cllr Nealon noted the cost of repair works will be in the region of €50,000 adding, “It is the intention not just to fix but to maintain,” adding, “I am asking the Council to work with the committee.”

The monument provided much debate when a damaged hand was repaired three years ago with local historian Joe McGowan saying at the time, “It is a part of our history, our folklore and our legend. Even people who have no great knowledge of Irish history would know that the hand was shot off during the War of Independence by the Black and Tans, who went on a rampage around Tubbercurry.

“The monument has different layers of history, a history that goes back to 1798 and the bravery of Bartholomew Teeling. It is a noble monument and Bartholomew is worthy of such honour.

“He came with the French invaders and during a fight with the British army he rolled up to a cannon and shot the person who was manning it.

“Later all the French prisoners were returned to France, but he was tried and executed by the British, which shouldn’t have been done.”

Mr McGowan added, “For 100 years it has been missing the hand and that is part of our history. It shouldn’t have been interfered with.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy sounded a note of caution when he informed the meeting that the monument is owned by the National Grave’s Association but the land is owned by a man who died in the 1960s.

“There are grants available but you have to have the correct documentation. You cannot go in and fix something on someone else’s property.”

Referring to previous repair works carried out on the monument, Cllr Gilroy said, “Somebody previously fixed the hand on Teeling and that could be called vandalism.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.