Did you know? Waterville in Ireland was always one of Charlie Chaplin’s favorite vacation spots! And with good reason! The famous actor has spent many a holiday here, enjoying the scenery and the hospitality of the local people! That’s all it took for the city to erect a statue in the actor’s honor! Today, the Charlie Chaplin Statue still stands: facing the ocean, it is a vibrant tribute to the talent of this extraordinary Englishman!
Waterville and Charlie Chaplin have a long history!
It all began in 1959, when the British actor decided to visit Ireland, and more specifically the Waterville region, with his family. He chose this destination on the advice of his friend Walt Disney, an avid fly-fisherman.
Funnily enough, Chaplin’s first visit was not without its ups and downs… The people of Waterville like to tell the story of how Charlie Chaplin was refused entry to the Butler Arms Hotel… The reason for this: the establishment is said to have been literally taken over during the summer months!
Disappointed, Charlie Chaplin headed for Kenmare to find alternative accommodation… But fortunately he was caught by the owner of the Butler Arms Hotel, Noel Huggard, who apologized and offered private quarters to the actor and his family (consisting of his wife and 8 children!).
This incident in no way altered Chaplin’s experience. It was love at first sight: Charlie Chaplin fell in love with Waterville and the surrounding area. Enchanted, he even decided to spend most of his vacations there, year after year for over 10 years!
Over time, the actor began to feel at home here, frequenting his favorite spots, fishing on Lough Currane and taking a liking to some of the local Irish (including the owner of the hotel where he always stayed!).
Until his death, Waterville was synonymous with tranquillity and escape for the actor!
This relationship between the actor and the town has been public knowledge for years!
So much so that Waterville immortalized this unbreakable bond in 1998 with a monument to the late actor.
For this purpose, a sculpture by Alan Ryan Hall was installed on the seafront. Located south of Sea Synergy, along the waterfront, the work depicts Charlie Chaplin as the Tramp, one of his most memorable roles!
He’s known for his gangly stance, bowler hat, cane and baggy pants. Facing the village, the monument recalls the actor’s precious link with this corner of Ireland…
A symbol of Waterville, the statue has since become a tourist attraction in its own right: many travellers come to admire the sculpture (especially as it is on the Skellig Ring route)!
The sculpture is beautiful and realistic, and will undoubtedly arouse the emotions of silent film fans. It’s free to enter and offers a glimpse of the cultural link between the city and the actor.
A link made all the stronger by the fact that the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Festival is held here every year in August, celebrating the career of Charlie Chaplin!
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Rates : free of charge
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every day
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