The area that now encompasses O'Connell
Street, which was originally called Sackville
Street, was purchased by Irish aristocrat
Luke Gardiner in the mid 18th century
who envisioned a grand residential parade
with an elegant mall running down the
center of the area.
The construction of Carlisle Bridge,
now called O'Connell Bridge, in 1790 transformed
the street into the city's main street,
connecting Dublin's northern and southern
districts.
*It shold be noted that O'Connell Bridge
is Europe's only square bridge, measuring
exactly 180 feet by 180 feet.
GPO - General
Post Office
There are several points of interest along
this street worth noting:
The GPO, General Post Office,
was built in 1818. In 1916 members of
the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizens
Army took control of the GPO on Easter
Monday, thus beginning the famous Easter
Rising and the Irish Civil War for Independence.
It was the steps in front of the GPO where
Patrick Pearse read out his Proclamation
of the Irish Republic. Rebels remained
inside these walls for a week, but eventually
shelling from British soldiers eventually
forced them
out. Within the walls today you will see original
paintings hanging in chronological order depicting
the Uprising and events that revolved around
it. As well you will see the bronze figure of
a mythical hero of Cuchulainn. This warriors
statue was dedicated to all those that lost
their lives in the Easter Rising.
Daniel O'Connell's statue, designed
by John Foley, took 19 years to complete.
The first foundation stones were laid
in 1864 and was finally unveiled in
1882 as a monument to a man known as
The Liberator to the Irish people. O'Connell
was responsible for organizing peaceful
"monster rallies" of up to a million
people in pursuit of Catholic emancipation.
He was also elected MP, Minister for
Peace, in 1828. O'Connell Street and
O'Connell Bridge were rededicated in
1922 in honor of this man and what he
did for Ireland.
If you look closely at this monument
you will see the bullet holes made by
guns during the Easter Rising in 1916.
They were never repaired to leave a
lasting memory of the Irish War for
Independence. Seated below O'Connell
are four winged ladies each bearing
shields with the coat of arms for each
of Ireland's provinces. Standing directly
below O'Connell are members of his cabinet.
Daniel O'Connell
Monument
Statues of important Irish figures line the
Mall that runs the length of this street:
Charles Stewart Parnell's
(1846-1891) monument is at the top of
O'Connell Street. Parnell was the leader
of the Home Rule Party and known as the
"uncrowned king of Irland".
Father Theobald Mathew (1790-1856)
was the founder of the Pioneer Total Abstinence
Movement.
James Larkin (1867-1943)
was the leader of the Dublin general strike
in 1913.
Writer James Joyce's statue
can be found on North Earl Street, kitty
corner from the GPO, not 15 feet from
O'Connell Street. This statue has been
lovingly referred to by Dubliner's, who
love nicknaming Dublin's statuary, as
the Hick with the Stick. This statue was
designed by Marjoie Fitzgibbon to commemorate
one of Ireland's most famous writers.
He is known for authoring two of the most
memorable books in history, The Dubliners
and Ulysses.
Mellinnium
Spire
The controversial Monument of Light,
dubbed "The Spike", began construction
in 2001 and was unveiled in January 2002.
It stands 120 meters, about 394 feet,
more than twice the height of Liberty
Hall, Ireland's tallest building.
