A Russian cannon dating from the Crimean War is again causing controversy in Ennis in Co Clare, nearly 170 years since it first divided public opinion in the town.
The cannon is on the grounds of the Ennis Courthouse building and has been there since 1858.
The gun was captured by the British army after the defeat of the Russian army by the Allies in the Crimean War 1853-1856.
The gun was to be gifted to Ennis and placed in the town square.
But the plan met local opposition.
"The gun was to be brought to Ennis with the accompaniment of a pipe band and celebration of the British victory. It was to be placed in the town square," said Brian O'Dálaigh, a historian and author from Ennis
"But, Ennis had a significant nationalist population, and plans were already being made to erect a monument to Daniel O’Connell in the square, so a gift like this alongside the monument was not viewed very favourably. A campaign of opposition was led by a local man Michael Considine.
"In the end the plans to place the cannon in the Square were scrapped and the gun was brought under the cover of darkness without any ceremony and left at the courthouse where it has remained ever since".
Now, the Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Mary Howard has proposed the cannon be moved to the Clare Peace Park in Ennis.
"We on the Peace Park committee feel the cannon is lost here at the courthouse. There is nothing here to acknowledge or explain to people why it is here.
"We feel it would be better if it was placed in the Peace Park and with information boards on its history," she said.
But not all councillors agree with Councillor Howard.
Tommy Guilfoyle of Sinn Féin described the cannon as a British "war trophy".
"Nobody wanted it in the region in the first place. It is an imperialist war trophy that was brought here to remind the Irish of who was colonising Ireland," he said.
"I’ve had a lot of people contacting me, asking why are we talking about moving the cannon to the Peace Park. A cannon has no place in a Peace Park, and it should remain where it is."
In advance of any final decision on the historic artifacts future in Ennis, it is understood that the Council will now begin the process of ascertaining the ownership of the cannon and examining the possibility of moving it.
