A NEW arts and performance area is to be unveiled in memory of a special musician in Letterkenny.
The town’s Bernard McGlinchey Park will host the area known as the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance area.
A dedicated sculpture will be revealed this Saturday, October 10, from 2pm, with live performers, including Ted’s talented daughter Sarah.
Legendary local musician Ted, from Oldtown in Letterkenny, sadly passed in 2023 after a life dedicated to music and mentoring young musicians for six decades.
He shared stages with the likes of Van Morrison and Frances Black and was in bands such as The Rascals and The Denver Show Band.
Ted Ponsonby’s brother Don presented a cheque to sculptor Redmond Herrity at the site of the new Arts and Performance area at Bernard McGlinchey Town Park. Also included are council staff like James Gallagher and local councillors. Photo: Brian McDaid.
Included in the arts and performance area is a stone guitar as a lasting tribute to great musician Ted.
The 6ft limestone sculpture – which is based on one of his own guitars – is polished black and includes a viewing hole for people to take artistic photographs.
The sculpture overlooks the new performance space, which was proposed by Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh.
Cllr Kavanagh’s additional proposal – that the canopy that was recently dismantled at Letterkenny Market Square should be part of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance area – was also approved by the Council.
The funds for the sculpture were raised during a sold-out tribute concert was organised by Ted’s family and held at An Grianán Theatre during this year’s Letterkenny Trad Week.
Ted’s brother Don told the Donegal News: “The family would like to invite all the people, who attended the fundraiser concert in An Grianan, and all the people who made donations but could not make it to the concert, to come along on the day to see the sculpture that you all helped to pay for.
“I would like to thank David Donnelly, the head gardener, and all the park staff for doing a great job on the performance area and Cllr Jimmy Cavanagh and his fellow councillors for unanimously passing Jimmy’s motion.”
He added: “A very special thanks to Redmond Herrity for doing a fantastic sculpture.
“I’d like to thank all the musicians for doing the fundraising concert and the musicians who will be performing on Saturday in the Town Park.”
The late Ted Ponsonby and his daughter Sarah.
The Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance area was first used in July when Donegal Youth Service celebrated its 45th birthday at the Town Park and it was again in September for Culture Night.
It will now be officially unveiled in two days’ time.
As well as Ted’s daughter Saran, other performances on the day will include Ted’s last band The Rednecks.