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1a. Buildings, statues-monuments on O'Connell Street, Dublin Scenes from DUBLIN CITY and surrounding area
O'Connell Street is a grand boulevard with a wide central
island filled with statues and memorials and the road flanked by many
shops and fine buildings. (above) The statue monument to Charles Stewart
Parnell 1846-1891 in O'Connell Street In 1878 Parnell became an active
opponent of the Irish land laws and in 1879 he was elected president of
the newly founded National Land League. He was an important
parliamentarian in Irish political history and campaigned for home rule
and land reform fighting for the rights of tenants against the what was
seen as the oppressive power of landlords and land agents.
Notes on the buildings, architecture and monuments-statues of O'Connell
Street & Bridge, Dublin
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Looking north up O'Connell Street from O'Connell Street Bridge.
The junction of O'Connell Street and Earl Street North.
The statue of James Joyce in O'Connell Street provides a comfortable place (unlike his books!) to rest for a chat or snack! Perhaps Dublin's most famous author via his works "Ulysses" and "The Dubliners"
The Dublin Spire provides a nice opportunity to play with the camera when ambling down O'Connell Street!
The statue monument in O'Connell Street to union leader Jim Larkin 1876-1947. He was the founder, chief organiser and general secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union. He was a lifelong socialist and fought as hard as anyone for the rights of workers. I wonder what he would make of the 'Celtic Tiger' economy and the distribution of the wealth of Ireland and the price of house in Dublin for a young married couple!
Jim Larkin aligned with the Spire of Dublin which replaces the Nelson monument blown up by the IRA in 1966. It is 120m (393 feet) high and affectionately known as the 'stiletto in the ghetto' or 'the stiffy by the Liffey'.
Left: The statue monument in O'Connell Street of William Smith O'Brien, sentenced to death for high treason 3rd October 1848! Right: The statue and monument to Sir John Gray (1815-1875) in O'Connell Street. Sir John Gray (Grey) was a well respected Irish physician, surgeon, newspaper proprietor, journalist and politician who gave great service in many ways to the people and society of Dublin.
The huge 1882 monument and statue to Daniel O'Connell 'The Liberator', after whom this street is named. After leading a 5 year campaign of mass rallies and protests the Catholic Emancipation Act is passed in 1828-1829 giving a limited number of Catholics the right to vote and he was the first Catholic to be elected as the Mayor of Dublin in 1831 but was later jailed for calling for the repeal of The Act of Union.
Looking north up O'Connell Street from just above the O'Connell Street Bridge over the River Liffey. The red bus is one of two companies operating the 'Dublin Bus Tour'.
The O'Connell Street Bridge of 1790 or 1880?
Looking east to the Butt Bridge of 1932 Dublin Quay pictures east of O'Connell Bridge continues on page 12a Notes on the buildings, architecture and monuments-statues of O'Connell Street & Bridge, Dublin O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge form the ceremonial heart of Dublin, a broad 18th‑century boulevard lined with monumental architecture and some of Ireland’s most symbolically charged statues. What follows is a structured, comprehensive guide to the buildings, architecture, monuments and statuary along the street and bridge, grounded in the historical development of the area and supported by authoritative sources. 1. Origins & Urban DesignO’Connell Street began as Drogheda Street in the 17th century, a narrow lane laid out by Henry Moore, Earl of Drogheda. It was dramatically widened in the late 18th century by the Wide Streets Commission, becoming Sackville Street, one of Europe’s earliest planned boulevards. Key design features:
2. O’Connell BridgeO’Connell Bridge (originally Carlisle Bridge) connects the street to the south quays. It is unusually wider than it is long — approx. 50 m wide and 45 m long. Architectural features
The bridge was renamed in 1882 when the O’Connell Monument was unveiled. 3. Major Monuments & Statues on O’Connell StreetA. Daniel O’Connell Monument (1883) – John Henry FoleyLocation: Foot of O’Connell Street,
facing the bridge.
It marks the symbolic gateway to the street. B. The Spire of Dublin (2003)Location: Former site of Nelson’s Pillar
(destroyed 1966). C. Jim Larkin Statue (1977) – Oisín KellyLocation: Central median, opposite the GPO. D. William Smith O’Brien Statue (1870s)Location: Lower O’Connell Street. E. Father Theobald Mathew Statue (1890s)Location: Near the Spire. F. Charles Stewart Parnell Monument (1899–1911) – Augustus Saint‑GaudensLocation: Top of O’Connell Street, at
Parnell Square. 🏢 4. Landmark Buildings Along O’Connell StreetA. The General Post Office (GPO) – 1818Architect: Francis Johnston
The GPO is the most architecturally significant building on the street. (Supported by general historical consensus; not directly in search results.) B. Clery’s Department Store (1922 façade)A landmark commercial building with a classical façade, famous for “meeting under Clery’s clock”. (Inferred; not in search results.) C. The Gresham Hotel (1817; rebuilt 1920s)A long‑established luxury hotel with a restrained classical façade. (Inferred; not in search results.) D. Former Metropole & Carlton CinemasEarly‑20th‑century entertainment palaces that shaped Dublin’s social life. (Supported by book reference: cinemas as major part of O’Connell Street’s history.) E. O’Connell Bridge House (1960s)A modernist office block marking the transition from the historic street to the south quays. (Inferred; not in search results.) 5. Architectural Influences & Key DesignersAccording to Dublin City Council’s architectural history:
6. Historical Events Shaping the StreetscapeO’Connell Street has been the stage for:
These events explain the mixture of Georgian, Victorian, early‑20th‑century, and modernist architecture. 7. Suggested Walking Route (South → North)
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