 The statue was unveiled by Councillor Mary Freehill assisted by Mr. Frank McNally of the Irish Times and Mrs Rose Doherty (mother of world snooker star, Ken Doherty).Speaking before the launch, Cllr Freehill spoke of her delight at being asked to unveil the statue " It is truly fitting that we should honour Richard Crosbie with a statue here in Ranelagh Gardens, where Ireland's first manned balloon flight took off.I hope that residents and visitors will take time out to come and view the statue”

Dublin City Council and the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government's Per Cent for Art Scheme, funded the statue.