THE GIANT STATUE of St Patrick, which made headlines last month after being removed from Dublin’s Temple Bar Pub less than 24 hours after it first appeared, has had a makeover.

The 14-foot figure became something of a national talking point both online and in traditional media coverage after Dublin City Council ordered its removal.

The statue originally depicted Ireland’s patron saint holding a pint of Guinness, but after a brief stint back at the workshop, the statue is now holding a pot of shamrocks.

Marc Kelly, the Monaghan artist behind the installation, told The Journal he spent five days on the statue’s makeover.

As well as some other light touch-ups, Kelly said the refurbishment involved the complete replacement of the statue’s formerly pint-yielding hand.

However, despite the statue’s new look, he hasn’t made it back to Dublin’s Temple Bar yet.

Kelly said the statue is currently being stored “at a location near Dublin”.

“[The Temple Bar] have it at a premises outside the city,” he added.

Kelly said that if planning permission is required to reinstate the statue of St Patrick, he may not make an appearance until next year.

In a statement to The Journal last month, Dublin City Council said the removal came about after “discussions between our Planning Enforcement Section and the owner of the premises”.

Nevertheless, Kelly said he is happy that the art installation is out of the workshop and on the move again.

“He belongs in the public with the size he is,” he said.

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He and his team at Sculp.ie spent five weeks building the structure after it was commissioned by The Temple Bar Pub, he said.

Four artists worked on the sculpture, which Kelly said is a “lot bigger than you’d imagine”.

Kelly said a large metal frame was used to provide the structure for the installation and sculpted fibreglass was used to finish it. The team hand-painted the statue, which features shades of green and gold. 

The statue also features lights, which the public may not have had the chance due to its sudden removal last month.

He described the time after the sudden removal of the statue as a “whirlwind few days” for himself and his team.

The Temple Bar Pub has been contacted for comment.