The bicentennial of the execution of famed Irish orator and revolutionary Robert Emmet will be commemorated on September 17 in a ceremony at the Washington D.C. statue erected in his honor.
The public ceremony, which will also recognize the statue’s recent restoration, will be held in the Dupont Circle Park where Emmet’s bronzed likeness has stood for over 30 years.
Spearheading the event is the Embassy of Ireland, whose D.C. offices stand just two blocks from the statue. Noel Fahey, who has served as Irish Ambassador since September of last year, will be on-hand for the rededication in addition to hosting a private reception at the Embassy afterwards.
Also expected to attend the event is Elizabeth Broun, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The Smithsonian, the owner of the statue, indefinitely lent the sculpture to the National Parks Service in 1966 and is still involved today in finding funding for its maintenance and preservation.
The Washington D.C. Robert Emmet statue is one of four identical casts created by Irish-born sculptor Jerome Connor. The other three statues are located in Dublin, San Francisco, and Emmetsberg, Iowa. ♦
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