Landmark statue of Our Lady in place since 1950s

THE Our Lady of Assumption has been located in the middle of the landmark roundabout in Ballyfermot since the 1950s, and not the 1970s as reported last week.

Ken Larkin, from Ballyfermot Heritage Group, provided archival leaflets and pictures of the time period, including the first Mass at the church in 1953.

Plans are in place to move Our Lady’s statue and redesign the roundabout for a new bus corridor, but many residents would like to see the statue remain in the vicinity, as a welcoming figure for the area.

“The parish of Ballyfermot was dedicated to Our Lady hence the name Our Lady of the Assumption, and the church first Mass was on March 15, 1953,” said Ken.

“There was a temporary statue to Our Lady put in the middle of the roundabout till the new all-weather statue was made and erected in 1954. This was paid for by the Archdiocese. In August 1978 a new replacement statue to Our Lady was erected in the same spot to celebrate 25 years of Our Lady of the Assumption church opening.

“As the statue is there from the beginning it should be either left in situ, or, if it is decided by the people of Ballyfermot to take away the roundabout, the statue should be put in a place that can be seen by all coming and going though Ballyfermot and as a mark of respect for the many Ballyfermot people that have passed away.

Regarding plans for a new bus service, and the Assumption roundabout being replaced by a junction with traffic lights, Larkin believes “Ballyfermot people should have some say in this.”