O'Connell Monument

O'Connell Monument
Seen from O'Connell Bridge
Map
General information
TypeMonument, sculpture
LocationDublin, Ireland
Coordinates53°20′52″N 6°15′33″W / 53.3477°N 6.2593°W / 53.3477; -6.2593
Completed15 August 1882
(142 years ago) (1882-08-15)[1]
Cost"about" £12,500[2]
ClientDublin Corporation
Technical details
MaterialBronze and Dalkey granite
Design and construction
Architect(s)John Henry Foley, followed by Thomas Brock after Foley's death in 1874

The O'Connell Monument is a 40 ft high[3] commemorative granite and bronze monument honouring nationalist leader Daniel O'Connell (1775–1847) located on O'Connell Street, the main thoroughfare of Dublin, Ireland.

The monument consists of a two-ton Dalkey granite foundation stone, on top of which are seated four winged victories (at angles), encircled above by a bronze frieze of over 30 figures[3] in high-relief symbolizing Irish culture, surmounted at the top by the tall cloaked figure of O'Connell (at about 2.5 times life-size) looking southwards.[4][5]: 15:58  A small pile of books lies at the base of O'Connell's left leg.[6][3]

The O'Connell Monument was unveiled to the public on 15 August 1882 and the newly widened Carlisle Bridge was renamed O'Connell Bridge in honour of its new main focal point.[4] What is now known as O'Connell Street, however, would remain named as Sackville Street until 1924.[7]

  1. ^ "1880 - O'Connell Monument, O'Connell Street, Dublin". archiseek.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Foley's Theme: A People's Thanks". Irish Independent. 27 December 1969. p. 9.
  3. ^ a b c "The Story Behind The O'Connell Monument (History + Bullet Holes)". theirishroadtrip.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "O'Connell Monument, O'Connell Street Lower, Dublin 1, DUBLIN". buildingsofireland.ie. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference DBAC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Doherty 2015, p. 114.
  7. ^ Osborough 1996, p. 46.