Irish Immigrant Statue Installed at Morgan Park

On Tuesday, October 13th, 2009, South Buffalo Alive President Marge Ryan, Therese Forton-Barnes, founder of Carvings for a Cause, Legislator Tim Kennedy, Councilmember Mickey Kearns, former Sheriff Tom Higgins, Ann Enger of the Greater South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, the 7th grade class at St. Ambrose Catholic School, and a large group of South Buffalo residents gathered to welcome the arrival of the Irish Immigrant statue to Morgan Park.

Carved by Rick Pratt out of a reclaimed silver maple, the Irish Immigrant represents the rich history of Irish settlers in South Buffalo and Western NY. Many of those watching the Immigrant take his place looking out over McKinley Parkway recalled their own ancestors’ journeys to Buffalo from Ireland. Accompanied by the music of bagpipes, courtesy of the Sheriff’s department, the Irish Immigrant was swiftly and easily installed in the beautiful gardens of Morgan Park.

Sponsored by South Buffalo Alive, the Irish Immigrant is joined by several other statues in South Buffalo that signify the history and culture of this community. The Dudley Library on South Park Avenue houses the also newly arrived statue of Tim Russert, Chauncey Olcott makes his home at the Buffalo Irish Center on Abbott Road, and a statue of Red Jacket looks proudly over the intersection at Seneca Street and Cazenovia Parkway. 

Sponsorship of a carving costs $5,000. After the carver receives his stipend, the rest of the proceeds are donated to Re-Tree WNY.