Council considering building “world’s smallest statue” for mosquito linked to Oliver Cromwell

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An Irish local council is thinking about building a small statue to honor the mosquito that likely gave Oliver Cromwell malaria while he was campaigning in Ireland, ultimately leading to his death.

Cork councillor Oliver Moran has suggested a unique idea: turning the monument into what he calls “the world’s smallest public statue.”

Councillor says statue would be “the world’s smallest”

The planned statue would honor the mosquito, believed in local stories to have given Oliver Cromwell “Cork fever” – an old term for malaria – while he was laying siege to Cork in 1649.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Moran acknowledged he wasn’t sure if the story was actually true or just a local legend from Cork.

He admitted he wasn’t sure if the story about a midge biting Oliver Cromwell was true, calling it either a real event, a legend, or simply a tale from Cork.

Cromwell died on September 3, 1658, in Westminster.

Historians generally agree that Cromwell likely got malaria towards the end of his life, possibly while he was campaigning in Ireland.

The councillor believes the small monument has the potential to draw tourists and fit into Cork’s overall plan for public art.

The statue could potentially be placed on an empty plinth outside Cork City Hall if approved.

This mosquito-themed art idea isn’t the first time Moran has suggested something unusual for public display. He previously pitched a monument honoring Tnugdalus, a figure from Irish legends.

No decision has yet been made on whether the mosquito statue will officially move forward.

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2026-05-20 18:48