Baltimore Statue
The Baltimore statue, commonly known as ‘Lady Baltimore’, is one of Longford’s most curious monuments. The ornate granite statue is situated on Baltimore Lane in Cloonageeher townland, beside the Longford county boundary with Leitrim. Located on the roadside, it is accessible to the public.
History of the Baltimore statue
Completed in 1881 or 1882, the Baltimore statue is a freestanding Indiana limestone statue on a cut-granite pedestal and chamfered plinth.
In 1974, it was presented to Baltimore, County Longford, by the Society of the Friendly Sons of St Patrick of Baltimore, 'in honour of our shared heritage and distinguished name'.
One of four identical statues produced by the German-born Herman Henning (1841-93). These statues would grace the corners of the Charles Hazelhurst Latrobe-designed Saint Paul Street Bridge (1880) in Baltimore. Its construction coincided with the sesquicentennial of the establishment of the city by charter from the Maryland General Assembly (1729).
The mural-crowned 'Lady Baltimore', an allegorical representation of the city, is shown with her left hand resting on a shield carrying the Seal of Baltimore and her right hand reaching down to symbols of commerce and industry.
The four statues were removed and placed into storage when the Saint Paul Street Bridge was demolished as part of the development of the Jones Falls Expressway (1957-60). Three of the statues were eventually re-erected in Cylburn Arboretum (1974), although one of the three was subsequently moved to Mount Royal Terrace Park (1980).
The fourth statue was shipped to Ireland, via Rotterdam, to commemorate the link between Baltimore and its founding father, Cecil Calvert (1605-75), second Baron Baltimore of County Longford.
The original proposal to install the statue in front of Longford Courthouse was rejected owing to its perceived similarities with statues of Britannia and Queen Victoria.
'Lady Baltimore' was instead installed on the side of a minor road, which is sometimes known as "Baltimore Lane".
The above information comes from the National Built Heritage Service's website, BuildingsofIreland.ie.
Sir George Calvert
It is generally accepted that Baltimore’s founder was Sir George Calvert (1579-1632), who was granted the title Lord Baltimore of Baltimore in Longford by King James I of England. At the time, Calvert was serving as Secretary of State. He was granted lands in the northwest of the county, some close to the Leitrim border, and in an area near Newtowncashel. Baltimore, the placename in his title, is assumed to refer to a place in Longford, though the only one of that name is this lane where the statue stands.
