Market Square canopy moving to Ted Ponsonby performance space in Letterkenny park

The performance canopy at Letterkenny Market Square will become part of the new dedicated arts and performance space at Bernard McGlinchey Town Park.

The canopy will be moved to the park while works to refurbish the Market Square get underway. The performance space in the Town Park is set to be named after the late Letterkenny musician, Ted Ponsonby.

Fine Gael Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh proposed the move at the February meeting of Letterkenny-Milford MD. 

“If this could be done it would meet a requirement at the town park arts and performance area, which is going to need a canopy if we are to make the area work and make the best of it,” he explained. “The motion would also have the added advantage of preserving a section of the Market Square and even if it can’t work in the area I’m speaking about, it could be used elsewhere, rather than disappearing.”

Cllr Kavanagh emphasised the potential of the performance space to “add a new dimension to the town park, especially in the summer months”.

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“It would attract new people to the park and could serve as a platform for young musicians in particular and for people to put their artistic talents on display,” he said. “The idea of promoting this potential in the park is enthusiastically supported by the town gardener and is gaining momentum with the public also.”

Cllr Kavanagh said that if the canopy from the Market Square was suitable, it would save the council from seeking funding while providing “a new home for one of the main features of the existing Market Square.”

The motion was seconded by Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who said the idea was a “no brainer”.

The motion was agreed. The written council response adds: “The Capital Projects Delivery Unit can ensure that the existing canopy is carefully dismantled and set aside for reuse during the construction contract”.

The decision was made to name the new performance space in Ted Ponsonby’s honour after a previous motion was put forward by Cllr Kavanagh. He described Ted as a “renowned musician who was also a talented artist”, and someone who enjoyed walking in the town park almost daily.

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“The naming of this area of the park in his honour is a fitting tribute, and it can also be a boost to the park as his musical reputation should make it attractive for other musicians and artists to want to use the space, and Ted’s brother would be willing to help in getting musicians to perform there,” said Cllr Kavanagh.

A concert was held recently in An Grianán Theatre Letterkenny in tribute to Ted Ponsonby. Organised by his brother Don as part of Trad Week, the event featured a host of musicians including Ted’s daughter Sara.

The sold out concert raised €5,570 which will go towards providing suitable signage for the arts and performance area.

Ted Ponsonby was from Oldtown, Letterkenny. He was the son of the late Molly and Terry Ponsonby, and was a member of many bands including the Rascals, The Denver Show Band and the Famesuckers.

His late father Terry, along with uncles Willie, Eamon and Ina were members of the famous Ponsonby Showband.

Ted played with many singers over the years including Van Morrison, Frances Black, Kieran Goss, Tommy Fleming, Dolores and Sean Keane, The Henry Girls, Arty McGlynn and Maura O'Connell.

Ted Ponsonby passed away in September 2023.