Harry Ferguson Sculpture to be Unveiled at Memorial Gardens

Wednesday 13 August 2008

There has been much interest from local residents and visitors regarding the Harry Ferguson Commemorative Garden project, located at his birthplace at Growell, Dromore.  Due for completion in mid August 2008, funding for the £160,000 project is frmo Lisburn City Counci, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (European Union) and the Friends of Harry Ferguson Celebration Committee.

On Saturday 16 August the life size bronze sculpture, centre piece of the Harry Ferguson Memorial Gardens (which are situated opposite the birthplace of the great inventor), will be unveiled.  Thousands of people are expected to flock to the area as the annual working day and tractor exhibition will be taking place in the long field adjacent to the homestead, with some 700 plus tractors expected to be on display.

Chairman of Lisburn City Council's Economic Development Committee, Councillor Allan Ewart said: “The official launch of the Harry Ferguson Commemorative Gardens is on 16 August 2008 to coincide with the annual Harry Ferguson Working Day.  Each year at the Working Day tractor enthusiasts from all across Ireland travel to display their tractors at the long field (where Harry Ferguson first took flight in his plane in 1909).  It is expected that this year over 700 tractors will be displayed at the official opening of the Harry Ferguson Commemorative Gardens.  This is a fitting tribute to a great inventor and engineer who contributed so much to modern agriculture.  The Council is delighted to support such a poignant memorial.”

In preparation for the official launch of the Gardens, Lisburn City Council commissioned Northern Ireland artist, Mr John Sherlock, who is currently working tirelessly on developing a life-size bronze sculpture of the famous inventor Harry Ferguson, which will become an integral part of the Commemorative Gardens.  The garden will also feature a car park, landscaped gardens, seating and information boards.

Whiteabbey based artist John Sherlock, is one of Northern Irelands leading sculptors, and is an internationally recognised artist.  Previous local commissions have included a life-size bronze statue of Professor Frank Pantridge, inventor of the cardiac defibrillator, which resides outside Lisburn's Lagan Valley Island.

Lisburn City Council is encouraging visitors from near and far to attend the grand opening of the Memorial Garden and the annual Ferguson Tractor Display, 16 August 2008.

Click here for Harry Ferguson Road Map.

Sculptor John Sherlock, Councillor Jenny Palmer, Tourism Development Manager Andrew Kennedy, Chairman of Economic Development Committee, Councillor Allan Ewart

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