The Roses sculpture on the Tralee Bypass has been unveiled.

The sculpture which consists of three red roses on their stems was created by Mayo sculptor, Rory Breslin, as part of the Percent for Art Scheme for the Tralee Bypass.

Situated beside the roundabout, linking the Tralee Bypass to the N22 Killarney road, the Roses sculpture highlights the well-known symbol of the Tralee area. It also links to the famous Rose of Tralee song which speaks of William Mulchinock’s love for Mary O'Connor, who was employed as a maid by the Mulchinock family.

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Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Mr. Paschal Donohoe TD, congratulated all involved in both the construction of the Tralee Bypass and also in the creation of the sculpture.

He said: "It is important that we continue to support our artists through the Precent for Art scheme, which allows for a portion of the cost of a public infrastructure project to be ring-fenced for the commissioning of a work of art. Iconic installations such as this very quickly become a symbol of the area, and the consideration the public gives to them is evidenced by the fact that submissions for what would be placed here, just outside Tralee, were received from as far away as Australia and the US. I want to congratulate Rory Breslin on a wonderful design and wish him luck in what I am sure will be a bright future."

(CD/IT)