Guardian of the Deise Statue

friendlyfun wrote: »

So the statue of the large Viking would cost about 18 million according to Sculptor John Hayes. What do you think about it? Would it be a good idea?

Actually, not a huge fan to be honest. Agree with the whole concept of creating an attraction and don’t really have a problem with the €18m price tag, you have to spend money to make money. But a 200m tall statue! Think it might be like the Spire in Dublin, just does not look right in its surroundings.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Would look badass.

Truly would, is it going where jury's is ?

id rather see this chap do something, and im sure it would be a fraction of the price, and better

https://specialbranchcarvers.com/

Don't know who will win spoofer of the year award this year rob Cass or john Hayes.18 million ffs!!what planet are they on,will probably climb to double that price when it's finished.this story has been regurgitated the last four years now.last I heard about this sculpture was in some competition to win funding.it obviously didn't win it.i think 18 million would go a long way towards the natural tourist resources we already have and maybe put money aside for the airport or build a cruise ship terminal to attract as much tourists as we can into this city/region

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Surely 18 million would be much better spent on investment into cardiac care, employment and local festivals, rather than some statue pointing at a city with no North Quays or anything really worth pointing at. Bizzare to spend that much money on a figurehead.

this argument again. you do realize different governmental departments have different budgets. it doesn't all come from 1 central budget.

spaceCreated wrote: »

Bit much tbh, if we want to attract more tourists I think we'd do better building out a few branches of the greenway to the Comeraghs, Dunmore East and up around ring to Ardmore, build some high quality camping and caravan sites as well. Probably cost less than the 18 million proposed as well. It would also give the people who are already in the county more options.

This is spot on.

Again, would take a lot of effort because funding would need to be drawn down from different departments but its the way forward for Tourism in Waterford outside of the Viking Triangle. An example, when compared west Cork and Kerry, the amount of motorhomes in designated spots and wild parking, they all spend money in local shops and businesses while the local council or private sector charge a fee per night.
Ardmore thrives off the amount of motorhomes in Dick's field. There is over 100 campers there at present and all shops / restaurants / pubs are packed

Waterford currently doesnt need this statue, its a bit embarrassing to have such an elaborate structure at the entrance to the city when there is such an obvious lack of outstanding facilities or attractions in the immediate surroundings. The North Quays are history, we have no airport, no university, poor cardiac care, a city that closes at 6pm and high unemployment.
Its akin to closing all the casinos in Vegas, then erecting a massive fancy billboard on the city limits pointing to all the attractions within. A total waste of money.

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Waterford currently doesnt need this statue, its a bit embarrassing to have such an elaborate structure at the entrance to the city when there is such an obvious lack of outstanding facilities or attractions in the immediate surroundings. The North Quays are history, we have no airport, no university, poor cardiac care, a city that closes at 6pm and high unemployment.
Its akin to closing all the casinos in Vegas, then erecting a massive fancy billboard on the city limits pointing to all the attractions within. A total waste of money.

I was talking to a few tourists yesterday who are here for the weekend from Dublin. Strangely, they didn't seem to give a sh1te that we didn't have a university, certainly weren't concerned about the lack of an airport, and were unaware that the city closed at 6pm given that every outdoor space was full of people enjoying themselves well into the evening.

They were looking forward to visiting some of our excellent coastal attractions today and had travelled the Greenway on their previous visit.

Maybe you'd be happy if we put a talking statue on the bridge pointing out the city's shortcomings?

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I was talking to a few tourists yesterday who are here for the weekend from Dublin. Strangely, they didn't seem to give a sh1te that we didn't have a university, certainly weren't concerned about the lack of an airport, and were unaware that the city closed at 6pm given that every outdoor space was full of people enjoying themselves well into the evening.

They were looking forward to visiting some of our excellent coastal attractions today and had travelled the Greenway on their previous visit.

Maybe you'd be happy if we put a talking statue on the bridge pointing out the city's shortcomings?

Nothing like popping down to Waterford from Dublin for a quick break only to be interrogated on the status of third level education in the South East and the state of the airport and the quizzed on what they were doing here :rolleyes:

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Its out of proportion to what the city has to offer, seems like a vanity project to boost the ego of the creator and has no place here. Just like the Spire in Dublin- completely pointless.

V good!

It’s more of a Shelbyville idea

spaceCreated wrote: »

I propose we should spend the money outfitting some proper longboats and start pillaging the Cornish coast, we can bring back brexiteers and put them to work on building several statues

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