Final say on design of Wexford’s iconic harp ‘up for grabs’ as councillors say they want to sign off on finished product
Wexford PeopleA battle has begun to decide who will have the final say on the design of the harp which was erected to mark the arrival of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Wexford town.
While local councillors had presumed they would be the ones to sign off on the project, Wexford TD George Lawlor recently took to social media to share a design which he has been working on with chief executive of Wexford County Council (WCC) Eddie Taaffe.
Created by Bui Bolg, the harp was initially erected in 2024 to coincide with the Fleadh before being confirmed as a permanent fixture on the quay. Although the structure itself is complete, the plinth at the base of the harp is set to feature writing commemorating Wexford’s two years hosting the Fleadh.
Using artificial intelligence to create an artist’s impression of the completed harp, Deputy Lawlor said it would consist of a “limestone base with gold painted lettering” reading ‘Wexford’ ‘Loch Garman’.
“I think it would finish off the harp very nicely and make for a lovely iconic image for locals and visitors alike,” he added.
However, at the February meeting of the Wexford Borough District, Councillor Tom Forde said he and his colleagues should be consulted before any design was finalised.
“There’s been a lot of conversation on social media surrounding the harp on the quay, lots of discussion about the plinth and how it’s going to be finished,” he said. “And, while it’s good for Oireachteas members to be debating this, it should be coming to the district councillors first. I don’t think anything should be done on that without consultation from councillors. It shouldn’t be changed or adapted without our input.”
While Cllr Forde didn’t directly reference Deputy Lawlor’s post, his Labour party colleague Cllr Biddy Walsh defended his actions.
“Like all things on social media everyone has an opinion,” she said. “My understanding is that plinth was temporary, that project is not yet finished. I don’t even know if it’s up for grabs on what goes in there, maybe the designers have already decided what it’s going to be.”
However, Cathaoirleach Garry Laffan agreed that the Borough District should be involved in the process.
“Is it not up to us to decide what’s going in there?” he asked. “We should have some say in it.”
Referencing a previous debate in the chamber, Cllr Forde noted that the harp was proposed to become Wexford’s most “Instagrammable” location and, as a result, “it is important what’s written on it.”