Buncrana’s most famous resident takes a brief holiday

Residents and visitors in Buncrana are advised that the statue of Fr Hegarty has been temporarily removed from its position above Father Hegarty’s Rock along the shores of Lough Swilly.

The removal is a planned and short-term measure to facilitate essential maintenance. The statue has been taken to the artist’s foundry to address a recently identified discolouration issue. 

It is expected that the artwork will be returned and reinstated as soon as the necessary remedial work is complete.

Members of the public walking in the area today are asked not to be alarmed by the statue’s absence. There is no cause for concern, and no damage or incident has occurred, but a routine maintenance intervention to preserve the quality and longevity of the piece.

The statue, unveiled in April of last year, commemorates Father Séamus (James) Hegarty OP, a Dominican Friar and Parish Priest associated with Fahan and Desertegney in Inishowen. It stands near the historic site known locally as Father Hegarty’s Rock, where he is believed to have met his death during the Penal era.

Ordained in 1672 by Oliver Plunkett in Dundalk, Fr Hegarty later became Parish Priest of Fahan in 1704, the same year the Irish Parliament enacted the Penal Laws aimed at suppressing Catholic practice. 

During this period, he ministered in secret, often hiding in a cave to avoid capture. He was ultimately betrayed by a family member, captured, and executed by British forces after an attempted escape across Lough Swilly. His death has led to his enduring legacy as a martyr for the Catholic faith in Inishowen.

The figurative sculpture was created by local artist Rory Harron and commissioned by Donegal County Council. The €80,000 project was delivered through the council’s Community Development and Planning directorate in partnership with Buncrana Tidy Towns.

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The statue forms part of the broader Shore Walk Public Artwork and Refurbishment Project, aimed at enhancing the cultural and historical landscape of the area.