Dove of Peace Is Tralee's Official Millennium Sculpture

Three hands releasing the Dove of Peace - a depiction mounted on an archway of three pillars is the official Millennium Sculpture

Tralee's official Millennium Sculpture is to be the "Dove of Peace", Tralee Urban District Council announced on Tuesday 25th July.

In August of last year Tralee UDC through its Millennium Committee, chaired by Councillor Johnny Wall, decided that it would be appropriate for the Council to erect a fitting sculpture in the town to commemorate the new millennium. So they sought submissions for artists for such a piece of artwork/sculpture.

Fourteen submissions in all were received for the project and they covered many different themes and ideas. These were considered by a sub-committee who shortlisted three submissions for the final stage of the selection process and the people of Tralee were recently invited to vote for their favourite. This they did either by writing their preference into books placed in the major shopping centres in the town (where models of the three finalists were displayed) or by voting on-line at www.TraleeTown.com. Almost 5,000 votes were cast in all and the Dove of Peace sculpture received over 60% support. The Urban Council will now commission the project and decide where it will be located.

Sculptor/designer, John Joe Sheehy, of Tralee, outlined the idea behind the sculpture in his submission to the Council:

The concept of this proposal is to illustrate peace. The three hands releasing the dove of peace illustrates the coming together of different denominations, culture, politics, race, etc. The solid concrete/granite base illustrates the solid base for this occasion.

The Dove of Peace as it might look in the centre of town.