Sonia O’Sullivan statue to be unveiled on September 20th

Cobh Tourism is delighted to invite the people of Cobh to the unveiling of the Sonia O’Sullivan statue on Sunday 20th September at 3 pm.

The statue will be unveiled by Sonia herself, who will be accompanied by her family and friends including husband Nic Bideau and their children Ciara and Sophie.

Situated close to the Titanic Experience and positioned so that Cobh’s iconic Cathedral will be the backdrop in the countless photographs of the statue that will be taken by visitors to Cobh, the statue captures and communicates the determination and spirit of Sonia and celebrates her achievements.

The pose chosen, attention to the smallest detail and immense talent and patience of Cobh artist, James McLoughlin means that this statue will tell its own story to people without them being immediately aware of Sonia’s achievements throughout her glittering career.

Tourists want experiences. They want to get a feel for a place, understand the story of a town and its people and what makes it tick. Cobh is full of experiences and stories, but the story of Sonia O’Sullivan and her athletics career, her tremendous successes, many disappointments and the trials and tribulations of a glittering career is a story that carried the people of Cobh and Ireland along with her for over a decade. It is a happy story and this statue will reflect that, celebrating a Cobh native who has been a tremendous ambassador not only for her sport but for her home town and Ireland.

Many people spoke throughout the years of how Sonia should be permanently honoured in her home town. However in 2013 it was Cobh Tourism that decided that they would actually do it!

The support of Cork County Council, Cobh Credit Union, local businesses and clubs and organisations made the statue a reality in a very short time. The people of Cobh supported this project from the outset and the two main fundraisers, *Strictly Cobh Dancing* and the Rebecca O’Connor *Tina Simply The Best Tribute* were sell-outs and talked of as “the best night ever in Cobh”.

Now that the unveiling is about to happen Cobh Tourism hopes that people turn out in huge numbers to support the Sonia 5k race on Saturday 19th at 6pm and the unveiling of a magnificent work of art right in the centre of our beautiful town. With the town bedecked in bunting, the Band of 1 Southern Brigade on hand to entertain and a real feel good atmosphere, Cobh is the place to be on Sunday 20th September, 2015 from 2.30 pm.