Harry Ferguson Unveiling, Saturday 16 August 2008

Monday 18 August 2008

Visitors from across the globe including Sweden, United States, England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland descended on the birth-place of Harry Ferguson in torrential rain to bear witness to the unveiling of the sculpture at the Harry Ferguson Memorial Gardens on Saturday 16 August 2008. Local residents and visitors have been looking forward to this day to remember the significant inventions of this local hero who transformed how work on a farm was carried out. The project is funded by Lisburn City Council, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (European Union) and the Friends of Harry Ferguson Celebration Committee.


Mayor, Cllr Ronnie Crawford, Eric Jess, Chairman of Harry Furguson Committee, Cllr Allan Ewart, John Sherlock with the bronze Harry Ferguson sculpture

The memorial gardens include landscaped gardens (due for completion in September 2008) as well as information boards, seating and off-street car parking. The centre-piece of the Harry Ferguson Memorial Gardens is no doubt the life size bronze sculpture of Harry Ferguson that was officially unveiled today by Harry Ferguson's granddaughter, Sally Flemming who flew in from London to mark this special occasion.

Hundreds of people turned up to the unveiling, despite the dreadful weather, and to participate in the annual Harry Ferguson Working Day. This annual working day and tractor exhibition showcased some 500 plus tractors from vintage old time classics to modern state of the art models.

At the unveiling, Chairman of Lisburn City Council's Economic Development Committee, Councillor Allan Ewart said: "Lisburn City Council is pleased to be associated with the unveiling of this bronze sculpture. Artist John Sherlock has done a magnificant job and to him we are grateful. Special mention should also go to the Ferguson Committee without whose drive and ambition this event would not be taking place.  DARD has also contributed significantly, and many smaller donations have been received too numerous to mention."

The Harry Ferguson Memorial Gardens will now be open to the general public between dawn and dusk with events staged on the site from time to time. It is hoped that further work on the Harry Ferguson legacy will continue including a self-guided trail, information leaflets and website planned. The public is also reminded that 2009 also marks the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Ireland when Harry Ferguson first flew his monoplane at Hillsborough Park some 130 yards.

Click here to see sculpting process.

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