Monument to Christopher Columbus (Galway) explained

The Monument to Christopher Columbus is a monument in Galway, Ireland. The memorial was erected in 1992, the year of the Columbus Quincentenary, to commemorate Christopher Columbus's visit to the city in 1477. It stands next to the Spanish Arch.^{[1] [2] [3]}

History

In 1992, a sculpture honouring Christopher Columbus' visit to Galway in 1477 was commissioned from Cork artist Mick Wilkins. The sculpture was gifted by Genoa, Columbus's hometown, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's setting sail on the voyage that would result in his landing in North America.^[4]

The inscription on the plinth reads:

In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, a number of monuments were removed or vandalized around the world, this included a number of Christopher Columbus statues in the United States. The monument in Galway was defaced on June 10, with calls to remove the monument.^{[5] [6]}

See also

• List of monuments and memorials to Christopher Columbus

References

53.2703°N -9.055°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Galway - Gaillimh - Monument for Columbus visit to Galway. 2020-06-18. statues.vanderkrogt.net.
2. Web site: McGrath. Pat. 2020-06-10. Investigation over damage to Columbus statue in Galway. . en.
3. Web site: Christopher Columbus Monument Christopher Columbus Galway. 2020-06-18. en-GB.
4. Web site: 2020-06-09. Call to remove two Galway monuments which 'glorify slavery'. 2020-06-18. Galway Daily. en-US.
5. Web site: News. GBFM. 2020-06-10. Christopher Columbus sculpture at Spanish Arch Vandalized. 2020-06-18. Galway Bay FM. en-US.
6. Web site: O'Connor. Rachael. Calls for statue of 'genocidal' Christopher Columbus to be removed in Galway. 2020-06-18. The Irish Post.