Monument to Daniel O'Connell

Statue honoring the 19th-century Irish political leader.

Description of the place

The statue of Daniel O'Connell, located at the beginning of O'Connell Street, pays tribute to one of the most important figures in Irish history.

Known as “The Liberator”, was a 19th-century politician and activist who peacefully fought for the civil rights of Catholics in Ireland. Thanks to him, Catholic Emancipation was achieved in 1829, allowing Catholics to hold public office. He was also a key figure in the fight for Irish home rule.

The monument consists of a large square granite base on which rests a limestone drum. At its corners, four winged figures representing Patriotism, Courage, Eloquence, and Fidelity can be seen. These sculptures bear visible bullet holes, a reminder of the conflict in Ireland between 1916 and 1922.

🕊️ Fun fact: If you look closely at his head, there's probably a pigeon sitting there! They seem to have a special affection for the Liberator.

Take a look at the statues at the foot of the monument: they represent values such as education, art, and religion. They are allegorical figures that reflect the ideals O'Connell fought for. If you look closely, you'll even see that some still bear bullet marks from the 1916 Revolution.