The unveiling represents the culmination of many years of campaigning on the part of Philomena and the Roisin Dubh Trust. "It's a great day for all of us," Philomena said, finding it hard to hold back the tears, on what was clearly an emotional occasion for everyone involved. The emotion she was feeling spread among the huge crowd of Lizzy fans gathered - many of whom had travelled from far flung parts of Europe to be there.
Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, Brush Shiels, Darren Wharton, Scott Gorham, Brian Downey, Eric Bell, Audrey O'Neill, Ollie Byrne, Terry O'Neill, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mary Stokes, Laura Harte, Roddy Cleare, photographer Tom Collins, Tony Gregory TD, Lord Mayor Councillor Catherine Byrne and the members of Wheatus represented just a handful of Philo’s friends, colleagues and admirers who were spotted at the ceremony, which took place at 6.30pm and brought the whole of Grafton Street and the surrounding area to a standstill.
The statue, which is finished in bronze is a remarkable likeness of Philo and will undoubtedly become an iconic attraction for rock'n'rollers visiting the city. Another of his old buddies, Smiley Bolger, took care of DJ duties, with a mass singalong to Live & Dangerous.
The celebrations continue tomorrow night when a good few of the aforementioned musos take to the stage at The Point Theatre for the Boy Is Back In Town tribute gig.
Needless to say, hotpress.com will be at ringside to bring you the action!
See the photo gallery.