Known for its art and culture, rich music, and literary history, Dublin is one of few cities to retain much of its heritage. With several monuments in Dublin dating as far back as the Neolithic times, the Irish capital is viewed as many as a source of historical data.
When visiting the popular tourist destination, be sure to visit some of the famous monuments and statues in Dublin, that have survived decades and centuries in Ireland.
Famous Statues In Dublin
Molly Malone Dublin
Dublin’s unofficial anthem (the Molly Malone Song), tells the tale of a charismatic figure, Molly Malone. During the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations, a bronze statue was constructed in honor of Molly Malone. Though whether this individual existed or is nothing more than just an old wives’ tale told to children that stuck longer than necessary, we will never know.
According to the tale; Molly Malone was a young and very beautiful fishmonger who sold her goods on a cart as everyone did in her time. She fell ill, and passed away from a fever. Taking on a tragic theme, she never found rest in death and proceeded to haunt the city of Dublin.
Discoveries over the years at an international level have gathered plausible proof that the iconic individual Molly Malone did exist.
While she was indeed a fishmonger, it is believed she had a second job; sharing her bed with men at noon. To capture this the 20th-century Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart, depicted her in traditional, yet revealing 17th-century attire making the figure another one of Dublin monuments.
Oscar Wilde Statue
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born on the 16th of October 1854. He is known as a popular Irish poet and playwright in the late 19th century.
Oscar had earned international recognition for his epigrams and plays, and his fame soon soared with him being in one of the first-ever celebrity trials.
Unfortunately, he was incarcerated on claims of homosexuality and sodomy in 1895. His already fragile health began to deteriorate rapidly under the hard labor he was subjected to. The two years of imprisonment contributed to his death on the 30th of November 1900 at the age of just 46.
Regardless of his steep turn in the later years of his life, Oscar Wilde is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s world-renowned poets and playwrights. Known for his flair, charisma, and overall dandy behavior, a collection of 3 statues in Dublin was designed by sculptor Danny Osborne in honor of the Irish poet.
READ MORE: INTERESTING AND FUN FACTS ABOUT DUBLIN, IRELAND
Famine Memorial
The memorial is an assembly of statues accurately sculpted to depict the severe dearth and inadequacy of the 1800s which drastically reduced the Ireland populace.
The Sculpture depicts 6 lifesized figures emaciated with hunger and disease, wearing rags and clutching feebly to their few properties and children.
Designed by Rowan Gillespie in 1997, a similar artwork was released in 2007. Both art pieces show natives leaving an impoverished and diseased Ireland for a foreign land.
Famous Monuments In Dublin
Wellington Monument Dublin
The imposing 203 ft structure situated at the southeast of Phoenix Park, is one of the largest obelisks in the continent of Europe. Built entirely of granite over 44 years(1817-1861) the structure is a dedication to Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington.
The Dublin monument commemorates the victory at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo against the French alongside the English. The impressive structure is designed by famous architect and sculptor Robert Smirke.
The full monument supposedly included a statue of Wellington on horseback. However, a lack of funding not only delayed the completion of the Obelisk but also meant that plans for the statue had to be scrapped.
The Spire of Dublin
Also known as the Monument of Light (An Tur Solais), the spire is one of many monuments in Dublin to stand at outrageous heights. The visually striking, pin-like monument is made entirely of stainless steel and stands at a height of 390 ft!
This work of marvel made of steel is one of the many fascinating monuments in Dublin and Ireland. The impressive structure was in construction from early 2002 till 21st January 2003, you will find it on the former Nelson’s Pillar.
Engineer Arup and architect Ian Ritchie worked tirelessly to build what they described as an “Elegant and Dynamic art that bridges technology and simplicity”, this would later go on to stand out as one of Dublin’s Monuments.
The Casino of Marino
Casino at Marino is a pleasure house built by architect Chambers for James Caufield, the initial Earl of Charlemont. The 1775 Neoclassical structure is among the few historic buildings in Dublin still in use.
It was a wonder of its time and still is today. Made entirely of Portland Stone, the building features 16 rooms and 3 stories. Despite always being occupied with his duties as Earl in England, James Caufield was known to have appreciated the Casino.
Many buildings and structures were built for the Earl during his lifetime, the most notable of them all being the actual Marino house. Sadly it was demolished in 1920.
The Casino of Marino is the only surviving work of the talented architect Sir William Chambers. The rest, numerous as they were, have either been destroyed by time, war, or natural disaster or fell to irreparable damage due to poor maintenance.
Newgrange
Dublin monuments are known to impress, but this does take the crust of the cake. Stretching back centuries to the old stone age, the Newgrange is one of the oldest monuments in the world.
Since its construction in Neolithic times by ancient resident farmers who lived in what is now known as Dublin, Ireland. This monument is surrounded in a 279 ft diameter by large stones called kerbstones.
Most of these stones have megalithic art and images inscribed on them by the farmers. The Newgrange predates world-famous monuments like the Great Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. The monument is situated in the Boyne valley of Ireland. It is open to visitors and a popular trip from Dublin.
More than just another landmark in Ireland, the Newgrange is a national treasure of Ireland and the Irish people.
Fusilier’s Arch
This tribute is a war memorial and monument in Dublin. It was built in 1907 in honor of licensed and unlicensed officers, and members of the Royal Dublin infantry who perished in the Anglo-Boer war.
It might not be as imposing as some of the impressive Dublin landmarks, nor as story-rich as some statues in Dublin, but it is extremely meaningful.
The memorial is an intricately placed archway, deliberately positioned in such a fashion to stand out as a unique structure in honor of fallen heroes. Not all heroes wear capes, but the officers and members of the Royal Fusiliers certainly were.
Albert Memorial Clock
More accurately called the Albert Clock, this monumental clock was constructed in 1869. Known as one of Ireland’s proud monuments, it has a history attached to it.
In 1865, a competition was held for the rights to the design of a monument for Prince Albert. The original winner was passed over for the second runner-up. The people of Ireland revolted against this injustice, and the rights were later passed back to the rightful owner. It was, however, without the needed funding.
Constructing the sandstone memorial cost about £2,500 ( equivalent to £196,000 as of 2011). In a display of camaraderie, the funds were raised by the public and the monument was erected within 4 years.
Built with a blend of Gothic French and Italian style architecture, the Albert clock stands 113 ft tall and is a significant symbol of the Irish people’s unity.
Daniel O’Connell
O’Connell street was named in honor of Daniel O’Connell. He was born on August 1775 and died on May 15th, 1847. O’Connell was tagged The Liberator because of his works and activities.
Unlike other prominent figures, he wasn’t given a statue or monument in Dublin. Instead, a street was dedicated to him and his name was externalized there.
O’Connell was a renowned political leader and an activist who shook Ireland. During his stay in power, he helped secure catholic independence in 1829 for even the destitutes in Ireland. This feat as well as the many other humanistic and reform pursuits he pioneered, gave him the identity of “The Liberator”.
Discovering Famous Monuments And Statues in Dublin
Art, culture, music, and values, all change with time and quickly turn into relics of the past. These fragments of years and centuries past remind us of an era that once existed long before our time.
Remnants exist from an era of dead and forgotten, making these ancient cultures interesting and educational. Keeping her culture and traditions alive till the modern era, Dublin continues to draw plenty of visitors.
The Irish capital is teeming with excitement and history, as every monument and statue in Dublin has a tale, history, or legend to them. From prehistoric monuments to interesting landmarks, there are plenty of things to do in Dublin.
