West makes bid for equal attention

The west of Ireland was feeling a little left out after Queen Elizabeth and Barack Obama chose not to stray over the Shannon, but nonetheless a present made its way to the US president from Co Galway. A maquette of a statue by the sculptor John Behan was passed on to the disguished visitor by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

The original statue of Equality Emerging, unveiled in 2001, stands opposite the cathedral in Galway city. It is dedicated to all people struggling for equality. The dedication verse was inspired by, among other things, the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero in New York:

Above a hole in the ground

No matter what stands

Measures nothing of life

Unless it touches our hearts

Inspires our humanity to act

And then to persevere.

Here’s the interesting bit: under US state- department rules Obama could not be photographed receiving the 45cm bronze from Eamon. Apparently he can’t be seen to endorse a person or product. Unless, of course, it’s a dirty big pint of Guinness.