Ohio Rose unveils plaque dedicated to Neil Armstrong in Tralee

By Anne Lucey

For next year’s 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Tralee, in Co Kerry, has erected a plaque to commemorate the visit to the town of the late US astronaut, Neil Armstrong. He was the first man to step on the moon in 1969.

The unveiling of a monument on the Neil Armstrong Way by Ohio Rose Erin Stefancin took place last week. She was chosen because Armstrong was from Ohio.

Tralee mayor Graham Spring said the Exploration of Space exhibition in Tralee, 21 years ago, held in conjunction with Nasa, was a historic achievement for the town, and it also needed to be remembered.

Considered a recluse — he turned down thousands of invitations — Mr Armstrong lived quietly, but was persuaded to come to Tralee by then tánaiste, Dick Spring.

The two gentlemen who were in charge of the exhibition, John Griffin and Michael Connolly [now tourism officer and county archaeologist with Kerry County Council, respectively], wanted a ‘big name’ to perform the official opening, and, back then, they didn’t come much bigger than astronaut Neil Armstrong,” said Mr Spring.

Mr Armstrong was a humble man and kept a low profile, which led to the belief that he had become a recluse. He turned down most interviews and very rarely made public appearances. So the chances of him travelling the 3,500 miles to Tralee were considered remote.

However, the older Mr Spring, the then deputy government leader, used his influence with the Irish ambassador. They wrote directly to National Aeronautics & Space Administration (Nasa), who, in turn, contacted Neil Armstrong. He lived on a remote farm. And, in the end, he agreed to their request.

During his visit to Tralee, the astronaut addressed a massive crowd in Denny St. The path he used to walk to Siamsa Tire, where he later attended the traditional folk show, and where he was made a freeman of Tralee, is now the Neil Armstrong Way.

Works have been carried out on the Neil Armstrong Way to improve its appearance. Extra signage was erected to mark the name of the walk. An information panel about Armstrong’s life has also been installed there.

“The story of how it came to be, that a pathway in the town park in Tralee was called after the most famous astronaut in history, needed to be told,” the mayor said.