The damage to the Irish Settlers Memorial along the Charlottetown waterfront is manageable but still cuts to the quick.
A slight crack was first noticed more than one year ago in the Celtic High Cross — the centrepiece of the memorial that has stood for the past decade overlooking the Charlottetown waterfront just off the boardwalk near the Culinary Institute of Canada.
Closer examination revealed further damage to the 3.7-metre-tall cross that is modeled on the beautiful Cross of Moone in Ireland.
Several of the flagstones gathered from the 32 counties of Ireland to form a large circle have been chipped on the edges. Speculation is the damage was done by skateboarders.
Graffiti too has been sprayed on sections of the memorial on different occasions.
And remnants of partying — empty wine bottles, cigarette butts and other trash — has been found in the small hillock that was constructed in a semi-circle with “arms’’ open to the harbour mouth in welcome.
Individually and collectively, the damage offends Brendan O’Grady, chairman of the Celtic Heritage Association, who played a strong role in bringing the $230,000 project to fruition.
Still, O’Grady does his best to put in perspective the mistreatment of the memorial to the Irish settlers who came to the province beginning around 1770.
First, the site can’t be guarded day and night.
And vandals strike in many locations in Charlottetown and across the province.
The memorial, he noted, has not been singled out. It is just one of many places that caught the fancy of people bent on doing senseless damage — and just the other day was deemed an appropriate spot to pitch a tent.
Repair work on the memorial, which was deeded to the city by the Celtic Heritage Association, should be completed soon.
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I don't think your average alcoholic is wandering around vandalizing property. This was likely the work of teenagers and others with no place to go and nothing to do at night. I fail to see how this is an example of rampant alcohol abuse on PEI. Heavier regulations on alcohol don't usually equate to a more crime free society (USA vs Western Europe for example). This is the second monument in Town to be damaged in recent times and if you want young people to respect such objects than maybe we should educate them on their significance. Some type of entertainment for those who can't go to the bars at night might help too...