Work had begun on statue of Drogheda’s world champion
Still long way to go in Deirdre Gogarty project.
Former world champion boxer, Drogheda woman Deirdre Gogarty, (right) pictured with sculptor Laury Dizengremel and Gabrielle Marvin who will be the model for the statue which the committee hope will one day stand beside those of Joey Maher and Tony "Socks" Byrne on South Quay in Drogheda.
Deirdre Gogarty after the world title - could this be the pose we see for her statue?
Deirdre and Gabrielle pictured with a possible star of the future, Deirdre's son Celtan Gogarty, in Louisiana.
Deirdre Gogarty explaining to sculptor Laury Dizengremel the wrap over the bottom of the glove will make the statue look authentic.
/
An injection of donations for the Deirdre Gogarty statue fund has allowed commissioned Laury Dizengremel to begin the measuring process in the United States, prior to work on the piece itself.
The legacy committee has raised €16,000 so far for the project, although Laury generously funded her own flights to visit the Drogheda legend in Louisiana.
“Laury landed in the USA last week and met Deirdre to speak about Deirdre's dreams for the pose and look of the statue,” explains chair of the committee Ciaran McIvor. “Deirdre still has the boxing kit and boots she wore when she won the world title in 1997, and Deirdre's young protégé Gabrielle Marvin, from her time at Rajun Cajun with Beau Williford, has been chosen to wear Deirdre kit and posing for sculptor Laury Dizengremel in preparation for Laury to create a lifesize legacy statue for Drogheda, Ireland.”
Gabrielle won the National Youth Olympics in 2018 and Drogheda’s boxing legend is advising her how to wear the kit and posem due to the fact Gabby is close to the weight and height of Deirdre when she won the World title in 1997.
“This statue when it is funded and erected in the near future, will be the first life size sculptor of a female boxer in Europe and the second in the world after Mary Koms statue of the Olympian was erected in December in Manipur Olympian Park, India,” says Ciaran, who also runs the Boxing Bants podcast and website. “Laury is already known for her statues currently in Drogheda town of Tony "Socks" Byrne (Boxing Olympic bronze medallist 1956), Joe Maher (World champion in handball), as well as David Bomber Pearce in Newport last year, and with the €16,000 we have so far raised, we have managed to pay the first instalment to Laury which includes a small maquette version of statue we hope will be completed in April, and the beginning of the life-size sculpture.”
Deirdre hopes that Katie Taylor’s homecoming fight in Ireland gets announced for May and she will then be intending to come home to Drogheda Ireland to help with fundraising and attend the fight.
“Although this is a huge step in the right direction and we are truly truly grateful for the donations given by all donors, we still have a long way to go,” explains Ciaran. “Our target is €100,000 and if any one wants to donate through Go Fund Me, it’s Deirdre Gogarty Legacy Fundraiser on https://www.gofundme.com/f/deirdre-gogarty-legacy-fundraiser?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer or bank transfers can be made by contacting deidregogartylegacycommittee@gmail.com.
Most Read
- Delay to enhanced 101 route bitterly disappointing says Nash
- Louth and Meath winners of regional Irish Restaurant Awards will now vie for national title
- Fit Kids/Fit Teens claim Irish Hip Hop Masters 2023 victory
- Drogheda St Patrick’s Day Parade 2023 to features myths and legends galore
- Route for Dundalk’s 2023 St Patrick’s Day parade revealed