Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-26
OCONNOR EXPLAINS DESIGN
AIM OF THE SCULPTOR OF THE
BARRY MEMORIAL.
Tells Why He Endeavored to Include
a Suggestion of the Irish Strug-
gle for Freedom.

Andrew O'Connor, the 1rishAmeri-
can sculptor, whose design for the statue
of Commodore John Barry was awarded
first prize by the Barry memorial COM
mission in the recent open competition.
has written a letter to the commits sion in
partial description of that design. 1t Is OF
more than passing interest, in view OF
the fact that the commission has asked
him to modify the accepted design in or
der to meet the criticisms of tn, Ancient
Order of Hibernians and other Irish So
cieties Their main objection to the
OConnor design is that it is history
of ireland in sculpture. rather than a
memorial of naval hero of the American
revolution.
In his letter to the commission Mr..
O'Connor said his design was for bronze
statue of Barry. "Fighting Jack Barry,
he called him, supported by a pedestal of
Knoxville marble, Ornamented with the
arms OF the United States Navy and In
scribed John Barry-the Father of the
United State Navy. Behind the statue,
he said is a fountain of water. protected
by a balustrade, in which there is an
island. recalling, he said, "Barry's ma
tive country.
Continuing the description of the vari-
Gus features of the design, including the
wall at the back of the fountain, MIR.
|O'Connor said:
Erin Symbolized.
ION the east end is a seated figure SYM
bolizing Erin. about whom cling the fogs
of her surrounding sea and the vapors of
ancient tradition.
commencing at the east of the frieze,
through the vapor. are seen to appear tan
gible though underlined forms, which fur
Their on take shape as the rude. unciviliZed
children of Erin: then appears the light
of Christianity in the form of st. Patrick
the apostle. baptizing the king: then is
seen the evidence of its refining influences
on the people. Next comes the Christian
king Brian Boroimhe. expelling the
Danes. who had invaded and temporar ly
held his people in bondage. Following
this appear the invading warriors of
StrongbOw, who. as the entering wedge.
forces of the English king and the conse-
quent subsection Of the children Of Err n.
who. in their distress look longingly to-
ward the west.
Looking to the West.
'The group of emigrants led by a
youth whose shaded eyes are straining
eagerly for the first signs of the promised
land. symbolizes the exodus of the chill
dren of Erin to the land of liberty, of
which the eagle surrounding the frieze
is the emblem.
Running along the capstone of the
freze is the rope ornament found on
the ancient memorial crosses of the is
| land, and on this at intervals appear
four shamrockS, SymbOliZing the four
| counties of Christian Ireand-Clster
Munster, Leinster and Connaught>
THE frieze and the two groups SYM
| f|a CT n Va
pressed in their own country, emgrated
| to America, where. joining the colonists
| Trey continued the struggle against the
same OppressOrS for the same object
liberty. In their struggle-in which the
exile of Erin displayed distinguished 10y
atty and skill. the whole soul and mind OF
| his race was with him. His thought was
| it's thought and his spirit was its spirit
1 beth were his inheritance.
ITO ignore this truth in a monument tC
| the exile of Erin who was by birth a foe
| to the king repudiated by the Americans
would be to accord to it less than its