THE “great endeavours” of world champion athlete ‘Honest’ John Purcell should be honoured in a more visible way, as the existing plaque at John O’Sullivan Lees Road is “not noticed”, says Mayor of Ennis Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy.
A request for a more prominent memorial to the Ballymaley world record holder, following representations from the Purcell family, is now to be made to the Memorial Committee of Clare County Council.
Councillor Colleran Molloy told a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that members of the Purcell family had been in contact about the need for a new memorial.
The track at John O’Suillivan Lees Road is dedicated to world champion ‘Honest’ John Purcell who reigned as world champion and world record holder for long jump, and for hop, step and jump in the 1880s. John Purcell was born in Ballymaley in 1860 and died in San Francisco in 1904.
Councillor Colleran Molloy outlined that the existing dedication marker is a plaque imbedded into a rock and is located to the right of the entrance. It was placed there by then Mayor of Clare, Madeline Taylor Quinn and then Mayor of Ennis, Peter Considine in 2009.
She stated that the Purcell family feel the dedication is not being noticed by members of the public who visit the popular Ennis amenity. “The family would like to see something more prominent,” she said, suggesting an arch at the entrance to the track be installed and dedicated to the athlete.
“I am advised that a book is being prepared on the achievements of ‘Honest’ John Purcell which is to be published in the coming months. It would be opportune to have the book launch at the track where a more visible dedication to the World Champion would have been installed,” she suggested.
Siobhan McNulty, senior executive officer, responding to the proposal stated, “John O’Sullivan Park Lees Road is amenable to hosting the book launch at a future date. The issue of a more visible memorial to mark the achievement of John Purcell is, I suggest, best the subject of an application to the ‘Memorial Committee’ of Clare County Council who oversee such requests.”
While Liam O’Connor, Administrative Officer, stated, “The placing of a civic memorial as proposed in the notice of motion would be subject to consideration by the Council’s Memorial Committee. Any application received will be considered by the relevant staff in the Planning Department and Ennis Municipal District /Active Ennis, before going to the Memorial Committee. If the application is recommended for approval, it will then go to a meeting of Clare County Council for decision.”
Councillor Colleran Molloy confirmed an application would be made to the memorial committee. Seconding the motion, Councillor Mary Howard suggested that an information board explaining the history of ‘Honest John’ also be installed at the site.
Councillor Paul Murphy stressed that anything installed should not impact accessibility. He also queried the financial implications, while pointing out there are other sporting heroes from the area. “In honouring one we could be dishonouring others, we need to be careful,” he stated.
Councillor Colleran Molloy assured council engineers would be involved in the setting up of a memorial to ensure the setting is appropriate.
She continued, “This is world champion status, I’d like to think this is appropriate”. She added that it is understood there will be some level of fundraising by the Purcell family for the memorial.
Councillor Johnny Flynn voiced his support for the idea describing the athlete as “extraordinary” while agreeing with the suggestion of an information board. He stated he would raise the matter at a board meeting of Active Ennis.