Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott was finally back in town tonight after a five-year campaign brought a statue of the iconic figure place just off Grafton Street in Dublin.
Supporters of the singer showed their long-running admiration of the songwriter by funding the erection of the bronze statue almost two-decades after his tragic death.
His mother, Philomena, who unveiled the statue, said: "It is the proudest day in my life, for over 20-years I have been looking forward to it."
She said it was special feeling to see him on the street again, as the life-sized figure stood out in one of his favourite haunts city centre haunts.
Hundreds of people lined Harry Street, just off Grafton Street, where Philomena unveiled the statue to rapturous applause.
She revealed supporters would now be working to launch a museum commemorating Lynott's work in Dublin, as well as working to aid up-and-coming bands and charities.
There will be a tribute concert tomorrow, at the Point Theatre, featuring former bandmates and friends - Gary Moore, Eric Bell, Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson and Brush Shiels.
Many of his bandmates are due to take part in The Boy Is Back In Town gig on what would have been Lynott's 56th birthday.
Born in Birmingham and brought up in Dublin, Lynott started playing in groups in the Crumlin area before forming Thin Lizzy in 1969.
Lynott's bagful of hit songs including The Boys Are Back in Town, Whiskey in the Jar, Jailbreakand Dancing in the Moonlightset the band apart from other Irish bands.
After the band broke up, Lynott embarked on a solo career and died in 1986, at the age of just 36, from heart failure as the result of a drug overdose.
His mother said she loved the sculpture by Paul Daly, which was cast in bronze by Leo Higgins.
She said: "I am happy with the statue, I love it, I spent many days down at the foundry advising him. We walked in a few times and we took a chisel out to make sure he got his chin right."
His devoted mother said his music would leave an everlasting effect on the people of Ireland.
The Roisin Dubh Trust first approached Dublin City Council in January 2000 to get a statue erected to honour the rock star and plans were approved by the council in February 2001.
Audrey O'Neill, director of the Roisin Dubh foundation, said Lynott would have been quietly proud of the accolade in Dublin city
Sculptor Leo Higgins said: "There is a wonderful video of him singing a song Old Town, he was at the height of his success and he is walking down that particular area of Grafton Street and he just looks amazing. We captured that I think in the statue."
PA