In Dublin, on O’Connell Street (the city’s main thoroughfare), stands the O’Connell Monument, a kind of sculpture to the glory of Daniel O’Connell, a famous Irishman in the country’s history. Impossible to miss, the work is installed at the southern entrance to the avenue, reminding the Irish of the prowess of this national hero.
The O’Connell Monument and its sculptures – Phil Guest – cc
O’Connell Street is Dublin’s main thoroughfare. Considered to be the equivalent of the Champs Elysées in Paris, it was named after Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847), an Irish politician who won emancipation for Ireland’s Catholics and advocated the values of non-violent Irish nationalism.
That’s all it took for Dublin’s biggest avenue to be named in his honor, and even feature a statue of him!
The monument itself is quite classical: it depicts the politician on a pedestal. A little further down are sculptures representing the Catholic clergy, as well as the Irish, and a woman, a symbol of freedom. All in metal, on a stone base. The realism is total, and the symbols play on patriotism and pride in being Irish.
This monument is often a meeting place for Dubliners. A sort of landmark, to gather with friends before an evening out.