Music legend Ted Ponsonby honoured as new Letterkenny arts space strikes a special chord - Donegal Daily

The unveiling of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area hit all the right notes today in Letterkenny Town Park as family and friends gathered to honour the...

The unveiling of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area hit all the right notes today in Letterkenny Town Park as family and friends gathered to honour the legacy of a master musician.

Ted, who passed away in 2023, was a legendary Letterkenny musician, artist and mentor whose multi-genre career spanned more than six decades.

Music filled Bernard McGlinchey Town Park as his new memorial space was officially opened and a specially commissioned sculpture was unveiled.

A striking black limestone guitar now takes pride of place overlooking the space dedicated to musicians, artists and performers of all ages to have somewhere to share their talents.

Award winning sculptor Redmond Herrity created the one-tonne guitar sculpture from Kilkenny limestone over three months.

For Ted’s daughter Sarah, seeing the sculpture for the first time was very moving.

“It really captures Dad’s style, being in the black stone and everything. It just feels very special. We feel very honoured."

Pictured at the unveiling of the sculpture are Sarah Ponsonby, Maryline Ponsonby, Don Ponsonby, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, Cllr Tomás Seán Devine, Cllr Gerry McMonagle and Mayor Pauric McGarvey.

Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, Mayor Pauric McGarvey, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Sarah Ponsonby and Maryline Ponsonby pictured at the unveiling of the plaque for the new Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area.

Today’s celebration brought together the many strands of Ted’s life: family, music, art, community and the next generation of performers.

Among those performing were Sarah Ponsonby and Chris Preston, Don Ponsonby and The Mindbenders, My Generation, The Rednecks, and young Letterkenny Busking Festival winner Michael Joseph McColgan.

The music began with a special set from Sarah and Chris, who played a tune she had written for her father, a piece they had once recorded and performed together, before finishing with John Dinny’s Waltz, one of Ted’s own best-known compositions.

For Sarah, playing the music without her father beside her on the Dobro felt strange, but keeping those tunes alive in a place that now carries his name was especially meaningful.

Sarah Ponsonby and Chris Preston performing during the official opening of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area.

Michael Joseph McColgan arrives at the event to perform in the new space.

The idea for the Ted Ponsonby space came to fruition through Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, who felt Ted’s contribution to music in Letterkenny deserved a lasting place in the town.

Cllr Kavanagh brought a motion before the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, where it was successfully passed by members. With the support of the council’s park team and funding from the Members’ Infrastructure Fund, the performance area began to take shape.

The sculpture was then made possible by the €5,570 raised at a tribute concert organised by Ted's brother Don Ponsonby at An Grianán Theatre earlier this year, when local musicians came together to celebrate Ted’s life, talent and legacy.

“It’s just a beautiful sculpture," said Don. "The family is so delighted about it.”

Maureen Ponsonby, wife of Don Ponsonby, with Maryline Ponsonby, wife of the late Ted Ponsonby, at today's unveiling.

“Even myself, growing up with him, I learned so much from him.

“He was just so talented, unreal, and he would have played with anybody at any stage. He had no airs or graces.”

Looking ahead, Don said he hopes the space can host regular music sessions in the summertime, giving young bands, solo artists and performers a chance to take to the stage.

Speaking at today’s opening, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh said Ted had inspired generations of musicians across many genres, including jazz, rock, pop, blues and bluegrass.

“This area is intended as a lasting legacy to Ted, a place that will inspire musicians and artists,” said Cllr Kavanagh.

“A place that will bring the community together to enjoy live performance and art and keep Ted’s spirit alive through creativity.

“The memorial will be a vibrant platform to develop talent, fulfil ambitions and allow the arts to flourish across Letterkenny and Donegal.”

Cllr Kavanagh also thanked Ted’s wife Maryline and daughter Sarah for embracing the idea and allowing the project to develop.

The Rascals play at the opening of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area.

Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Pauric McGarvey said the new space will be a welcome addition to the town park.

He said: “This new space will provide an opportunity for musicians, performers and artists to showcase their talents in the heart of Letterkenny.

“It will also help bring people together and add to the wonderful atmosphere and community spirit that Bernard McGlinchey Town Park already offers.”

Addressing Ted’s family and friends, he added: “I hope you take great pride in seeing Ted remembered in this way.

“His name will live on here and his legacy will continue through the music performances that will take place in this area.”

For Sarah, that future use is central to what the space means.

“I think it would just be amazing to see young people have a space where they feel comfortable coming to play without too much pressure,” she said.

“To have that space to experiment with new music and just be open to the public to come and see them. I think it’s really important to keep that going.”

The Ponsonby family thanked everyone who helped bring the project to life, including Cllr Kavanagh, Redmond Herrity, Donegal County Council’s park team, Head Gardener David Donnelly, James Gallagher, James Conaghan, the musicians who performed at the fundraiser and today’s opening, and all those who supported the tribute concert.

Today’s opening was filled with memories of Ted and excitement over what will be added to his already extraordinary legacy. See more photos here:

Evelyn Gallagher and Pat Walsh at the official opening of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area in Letterkenny Town Park.

Eamonn, Jayden and Kendra Ponsonby, Victoria Bernat and Carol Anne Ponsonby at the official opening of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area.

Michael Breslin, Emma Best and Chris Preston pictured at the unveiling of the Ted Ponsonby tribute in Letterkenny Town Park.

Bernadette O’Donnell and Niamh O’Callaghan at the official opening of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area.

Maryline Ponsonby, Ted’s wife, with Barbara Infante at the special unveiling in Letterkenny Town Park.

Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh speaking at the official opening of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area in Letterkenny Town Park.

Mayor Pauric McGarvey officially opens the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area and unveils the sculpture in Letterkenny Town Park, pictured with Don Ponsonby, sculptor Redmond Herrity, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh and Cllr Gerry McMonagle.

Highland Radio’s Jimmy Stafford with sculptor Redmond Herrity, who created the limestone guitar sculpture in memory of Ted Ponsonby.

Anne Marie Colum, Maureen Ponsonby, Mayor Pauric McGarvey and Gerard Duffy at the opening of the Ted Ponsonby Arts and Performance Area.

Don Ponsonby pictured with family members at the special opening of the new arts and performance space in memory of his brother Ted.