Green light for statue of legendary Kerry cyclist Mick ‘Ironman' Murphy
Such a statue will put Mick Murphy up there alongside other renowned Kerry legends not least the late Mick O'Dwyer whose statue stands proud in Waterville as does one of John Egan in Sneem.
It has been the long-held dream of a local committee comprised of friends of the legendary cyclist to honour Mick's achievements as an athlete and they have now been given the green light to erect this statue but they are some way off finalising their plans yet.
It has been hoped to have the statue put in place this year to mark the 10th anniversary of this death but this now won't be possible as it is hoped to get grant aid to help towards the cost.
However, Kerry County Council have given a provisional green light for the statue in the town park in Cahersiveen.
This is good news for the committee who will now move towards the next stage which is to get funds together.
Substantial funds have already been raised to date through a local cycle that ran for many years in his honour and these combined with grant aid will hopefully help the statue come to fruition.
Mike Greaney, who came up with the idea of the cycle and statue, and has played a key role in the project said it is good news that the council have agreed in principle to the idea but he said more work has to be done.
"As of a few weeks ago we got a letter of approval for the statue in the town park subject to the design and now paperwork will be put in order for grant-aid.'
Cllr Norma Moriarty had called on Kerry County Council to work with the local committee to make this project a reality and is hopeful that more support will be forthcoming to honour one of the county's greatest.
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Mick 'The Ironman' Murphy is part and parcel of the sporting history in Kerry given his awe-inspiring feats he accomplished chief among them to come from nowhere to win the Ras Tailteann back in 1958.
He was born in Sugreana, Cahersiveen in 1934 into a farming family and in his youth and teenager years he became interested in bodybuilding and strong men and circus acts and made an income from circus feats. Ultimately he also took up running and he excelled in that too but turned to cycling and became the legend he is today.
The stories that surround Mick Murphy known as 'The Ironman' are legendary as the man himself but many though unique are indeed true including that he rode for several days with a broken collar bone. He also drank cow's blood and ate raw meat and trained with weights made from stone.
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