BOLANDS MILLS [CURRENT BEING REDEVELOPED

BOLANDS MILLS [CURRENT BEING REDEVELOPED

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Towards the end of last year a number of newspapers claimed that Google was close to signing a deal to acquire the entire Bolands Quay scheme in Dublin's docklands for Euro 170 million. The new complex is beside Google's European headquarters on Barrow Street. In 2011, Google bought its European headquarters on Barrow Street and the nearby Montevetro building for €100m and €99m respectively and they are currently in the process of buying the Treasury Building on Grand Canal Street.

  https://www.excellentstreetimages.com/dublin-street-photography/photo-diary-of-dublin-2018/buildings-of-interest/docklands-area/

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The new development is described as follows "Set in the heart of Dublin’s thriving docklands with a unique frontage to the Grand Canal Dock, this exciting new landmark development will transform the Dublin skyline and surrounding urban landscape, taking its place as the city’s most prestigious new corporate address." http://bolandsquay.com Boland's Mill was located on the Grand Canal Dock in Dublin, Ireland on Ringsend Road between the inner basin of Grand Canal Dock and Barrow Street. As of 2015, the site is currently undergoing a €150 million reconstruction to become Bolands Quay, a development of new residences and commercial, retail, and civic spaces. The mill site included a number of buildings. There were two six-storey stone warehouse buildings dating from the 1830s, and others on Barrow Street dating from the 1870s. The majority of the complex consisted of concrete silos built between the 1940s and 1960s. The mill stopped production in 2001 and the site has been derelict since then. Within the complex of buildings, the older 19th century stone block buildings facing onto Ringsend Road and onto Grand Canal Dock together with two terraced houses on Barrow street are listed as protected buildings by Dublin City Council. The taller concrete silos on the site were not protected structures. The site is in an area known locally as "Silicon Docks" as it has become location for high-tech multinationals such as Google and Facebook.

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  PREVIOUS PHOTOGRAPHS OF BOLANDS MILLS

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MACNAS HALLOWEEN PARADE IN DUBLIN

This event was not at all easy to photograph so I decided to have a bit of fun with some of the images. Hopefully the images will give you all a feel for the event.


VIEW THE COMPLETE COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS ...


HALLOWEEN PARADE BY MACNAS - DUBLIN CITY CENTRE 2017

Macnas is a performance company based at the Fisheries Field in Galway, Ireland. Its public performances are noted for exuberance, colour and spectacle. The company has been influential in changing the nature of public entertainment in Ireland.

 Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of All Hallows' Evening), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

 It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain; that such festivals may have had pagan roots; and that Samhain itself was Christianised as Halloween by the early Church.

Some believe, however, that Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, separate from ancient festivals like Samhain. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, attending Halloween costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories and watching horror films. In many parts of the world, the Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, remain popular, although elsewhere it is a more commercial and secular celebration. SaveSave

MY SECOND DAY USING THE SONY RX0 [DUBLIN NORTH INNER CITY]

MY SECOND DAY USING THE SONY RX0 [DUBLIN NORTH INNER CITY]


This was my second day using the Sony RX0 and as a stand alone camera it is not easy to use especially if you have fat fingers or is your eyesight is not good . Based on my experience to date I would suggest that you really need to control the camera  using a smartphone and it needs to be mounted on a tripod which to some extent defeats the advantage of it size.

I should say that I actually like this camera.

One problem that I have noticed is that there are many online reviews of Sony products that are usually described as "Hands On Review" which actually means that the reviewer has attended a product launch and has used the camera under controlled conditions.

Unfortunately such reviews give you no idea as to what the camera is capable of and of course they never mention any problems other than trivial issues. Because of this there are now two camps
[1] people who love Sony products
[2] People who have nothing good to say about Sony.

In case you are wondering about me ... I spent about five years switching from Canon to Sony but that does not mean that I prefer one company rather than the other because in reality I had decided to switch from DSLT to Mirrorless and the company name had little to do with my decision. A few years ago when I arrived at an event with my Sony NEX-7 or A7RII I found that in general that DSLR users were very dismissive complaining about silly things such as battery life [which was an issue if you did not bring four five batteries with you].


EXAMPLE PHOTOGRAPHS:

SECOND DAY USING THE SONY RX0
FIRST BATCH OF IMAGES FROM MY NEW SONY RX0
SECRET GARDEN - A PUBLIC PARK THAT IS WELL HIDDEN
WALK AROUND THIS CHURCH AND THE DEVIL WILL STEAL YOUR SOUL
BIKE RENTAL DOCKING STATION IN DUBLIN

THE SAD STORY OF STONEVILLA IN PHIBSBORO [STILL NO HAPPY ENDING]

THE SAD STORY OF STONEVILLA IN PHIBSBORO [STILL NO HAPPY ENDING]

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As you get older you begin to believe that old buildings and other things from the past have merit and as such should be preserved.

Maybe that view of life is not valid and maybe once something has served its purpose it should be replaced with something more appropriate. Anyway, all that I can say with any certainty is that it depresses me to see the gradual decline of this house and other similar buildings throughout the city. I last photographed this derelict building in May of this year and northing appears to have happened since then.

What I suspected would happen does appear to be happening. The building has been surrounded by a high fence in such a way that it has become invisible and as a result, over an extended period, people will forget that it ever existed.

At the very best the house will be demolished and replaced by a block of generic apartments any everyone will be surprised because they will not remember what was there. If you carry out a Google search you will notice that there has been few or no comments relating to Stonevilla since July 2014 but plenty of comment before then.

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The Calm Before The Storm [Hurricane Ophelia Is Due To Impact On The City Of Dublin]

The Calm Before The Storm [Hurricane Ophelia Is Due To Impact On The City Of Dublin]

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At the time of posting my photographs local media outlets are reporting that three people have already dies because of the storm.

 Many years ago colleague was killed in a major storm as the result of being struck by a piece of debris while passing a building site. The really sad thing was that his manager insisted that he turn up for work or face suspension.

 Today I had planned to visit a number of locations but because of really high winds I had to abandon that idea almost immediately I left my apartment. I then decided to visit a local Chinese Restaurant and was surprised to discover that the staff were unaware of the approaching storm.

 I must admit that I was surprised by the fact that Bolton Street and Dorset street were more-or-less devoid of traffic. If you zoom in you may notice some plastic bags floating in the sky towards the top of my photographs. I had hoped to pay one last visit to the 'Sculpture In Context' exhibition in the Botanic Gardens as it closed on Wednesday.


PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAM MURPHY ...  

 

NUMBER 5 HENRIETTA STREET - THE DOORS OF DUBLIN

OLD LIGHTSHIP - THE KITTIWAKE [HAS BEEN SCRAPPED]

OLD LIGHTSHIP - THE KITTIWAKE [HAS BEEN SCRAPPED]

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[UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2017] If my source is correct this little red ship was scrapped back in 2012 … what a pity!

 MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS LITTLE RED SHIP...

[UPDATE AUGUST 2011] Dublin docklands property developer Harry Crosbie has been refused permission to relocate the former lightship Kittiwake in front of the O2 Theatre, according to a report in the Irish Times. Crosbie had intended to convert the 1959 built Kittiwake into a café and bar after raising the vessel from her River Liffey berth and position onto the campshire of North Quay Wall, opposite the music venue. Dublin City Council told Crosbie that consent for the use of the campshires for the bar had not been agreed to by the board of the Dublin Dockland Development Authority (DDDA), which owns the quays, "and that said permission will not be forthcoming".

[OCTOBER 2010] Old Lightship (Kittiwake - There Must Have Been Two with The Same Name). Built 1957/59 by Philip & Son, Dartmouth; length 134 feet, breadth 25 feet, depth 15 feet; constructed of steel; cost £124,128; remains in Service, converted to automatic light float 1981. Sold out of Service in 2007. Now moored beside the Point Depot in Dublin. I was delighted to read in the Sunday Times that this little red ship could be used as a tourist attraction. According the the newspaper Harry Crosbie, owner of the Dublin 02, is seeking permission from Dublin City Council to raise the 500-ton lightship, Kittiwake and place on the quayside opposite The 02 Theatre. Currently the lightship is berthed nearby the East-Link road toll bridge and acts as a notable floating feature to countless daily commuters. I was very surprised to read the the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) sold the 1959 built lightship to Harry Crosbie more than three years ago. If Harry's plan for the the former lightship is given a thumbs up, the vessel would act as a "welcoming point" for cruise tourists. Subject to planning permission, the lightship would undergo a re-conversion project to create an open-plan café bar for a period of five years. The veteran vessel would also have its lighthouse light restored and would "beam" across the docklands and entertainment venue. The lightship would maintain its customary 'red' hull with Kittiwake written in neon on the side.

[APRIL 2009] Kittiwake (were they two with the same name?) Built 1957/59 by Philip & Son, Dartmouth; length 134 feet, breadth 25 feet, depth 15 feet; constructed of steel; cost £124,128; remains in Service, converted to automatic light float 1981. Sold out of Service in 2007. Now moored beside the Point Depot in Dublin.

[FEBRUARY 2009] For Sale: The Kittiwake Lightship At The O2 

SOS - SAVE OUR SHIP

SOS - SAVE OUR SHIP

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There was a campaign to save this ship but I have not heard if they had any success. Naomh Éanna, Ireland’s oldest remaining merchant ship, completed in Liffey Dockyard in 1958. It is moored in the number 2 graving dock in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin Port.


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ADDISON LODGE PUB IN GLASNEVIN

ADDISON LODGE PUB IN GLASNEVIN

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If you told me thirty years ago that people would be getting out of the Pub Business I would thought that you were insane but it is now happening on a regular basis especially in Dublin city. According to media reports in August the Addison Lodge on Dublin's Northside is to remain in place after Dublin City Council refused planning permission to build apartments on the site where it is located. My understanding is that developers had hoped to construct 19 houses and 12 apartments on the site in Glasnevin [across the road from the Botanic Gardens]. A few days ago I heard a rumour that revised planning permission application has been resubmitted [note: I could not find any evidence to support this rumour]

 

FULL TURN A SCULPTURE BY MARK RYAN

FULL TURN BY MARK RYAN [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017]

 I used a manual lens today and focus was a bit off in some cases because of my lack of experience with the lens in question [to be honest I was adjusting the wrong dial]. Mark Ryan is a sculptor who works in a variety of materials – wood, clay, plaster, steel, stainless steel and bronze.

More about the artist: http://www.markryansculptor.com/

EVE BY KEVIN FOLEY - SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017 IN DUBLIN

EVE BY WILLIAM FOLEY [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017]

 

PESKY RABBITS BY JO HATTY [40 EURO EACH AT SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017]

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It was not easy to photograph this as there was a lot of vegetation blocking a clear view. Artist Jo-ann Hatty operates from a gallery in Bangor, Northern Ireland. My understanding is that she has designed some of Northern Ireland’s most popular sculptures at Laganside, Belfast, and the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine.

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THE PLACE FOR DIM SUM IN DUBLIN [MR DINH ON CAPEL STREET]

THE PLACE FOR DIM SUM IN DUBLIN [MR DINH ON CAPEL STREET]

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This was Hanoi Hanoi, the best Vietnamese restaurant in Dublin, but over a period of time it changed name a few times. It is now known as Mr. Dinh and it offers a number of Asian styles but it is essentially a Hong Kong Chinese restaurant and it has become one of the most popular places for Dim Sum in Dublin [served from 12 to 4:30 every day].

 

RHINOCEROUS BY FREDERIC RUCKENBROD [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017]

RHINOCEROUS BY FREDERIC RUCKENBROD [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017]

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“Ruckenbrod bespoke design studio is located in south city Dublin. It provides personalised story telling furniture, each or sets of furniture will present clients story, memory or message, they are unique pieces to the clients also functional. Ruckenbord bespoke only produce high quality with environment friendly materials. Our product includes: interior furniture, outdoor furniture and children’ world furniture. Ruckenbrod bespoke also provide restoring valuable antique furniture service and art work to the collectors.”


 https://www.ruckenbrodbespokedesignstudio.com/sculpture

SONY MOBILE BRINGS 3D SCANNING TO SMARTPHONES WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE XPERIA XZ1 AND XZ1 COMPACT

SONY MOBILE BRINGS 3D SCANNING TO SMARTPHONES WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE XPERIA XZ1 AND XZ1 COMPACT

  PRODUCT IMAGES

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Xperia - available in Ireland from mid-September  Dublin, 8th August 2017: Sony Mobile Ireland has announced the launch of two new smartphone devices in its flagship Xperia family; the Xperia XZ1 (available from mid-September) and the Xperia XZ1 Compact (available from October).

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The new devices feature world-first smartphone technology – a 3D scanner called Creator. The technology enables the user to capture 3D scans in just one minute, using up to four scan modes; head scan, face scan, food scan and freeform scan. Scans can be used to create a host of content including 3D stickers for messenger apps, highly-detailed PlayStation characters, avatars for apps and wallpapers and much more.  

Scans can also be uploaded to growing 3D communities such as Sketchfab, which counts over one million global users, or sent to a 3D printer and made into a memorable keepsake of a well-known landmark, a memory from a special event or the face of a friend or family member. The ‘Find More’ button within the 3D Creator app allows consumers to explore a wider and ever-growing 3D ecosystem, available through Google Play. Alongside the 3D Creator, the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact introduce consumers to additional, content-capture functions such as the Predictive Capture camera tool.

Predictive Capture automatically starts buffering images before the shutter button is pressed by intelligently recognising subtle movements like a smile. The user can select a moment that may have been uncaptured from a selection of up to four shots. In another development, both devices introduce Autofocus Burst which sees the camera intelligently follow its subject, adjusting the focus to make sure fast-moving, action shots stay sharp.

The Xperia XZ1 will be available from selected Irish operators from mid-September in Black and Moonlit Blue. The Xperia XZ1 Compact will be available from selected Irish operators from October. Pricing and arrival dates will be revealed in the coming weeks. Commenting on the arrival of the new devices, Ciaran Cleary, Sony Mobile Communications Ireland said: “Consumers are capturing more content on mobile than ever before and Sony Xperia is right at the heart of that. With over 70 years’ heritage of innovation in technology, Sony continues to allow consumers to capture special moments and memories in new and exciting ways. “The 3D Creator feature is a first for smartphone, allowing consumers to capture memories in a continually evolving way. We’re looking forward to seeing how it is enjoyed in the Irish market when the XZ1 arrives to retailers mid-September.”


Other key features of the Xperia XZ1 include:
• The latest Motion Eye™ camera built using know-how from Sony’s ‘α’ and Cyber-shot™ camera ranges, for capturing life in ways no other smartphone can. Its memory-stacked Exmor™ RS image sensor pushes motion capture to the next level, producing exceptional image quality.
• Video record function at 960 frames per second, providing stunning Super slow motion video playback. Rounding off the premium camera experience is the first-class 13-megapixel front camera with a 1/3” sensor and a display flash so you’ll get outstanding selfies in any light.
• Sony’s BRAVIA TV technology to bring more colour and contrast to TV shows and movies in stunning realism, by incorporating HDR (High Dynamic Range) in its 5.2” full HD display. Further technologies, including TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile, X-Reality™ for mobile and Dynamic Contrast Enhancer work together to give razor-sharp, detailed and brighter images on screen.
• The authentic sound of Hi-Resolution Audio, allowing every nuance and detail in a track to be enjoyed. Evolved stereo speakers with S-Force Front Surround, bring 50% more sound pressurethan previous Xperia models. Plus, built-in Digital Noise Cancelling (DNC) technology reduces exterior noise by up to 98% when paired with DNC headphones for perfect, undisturbed listening. Sony’s new h.ear (pronounced ‘hear’) headphones will also be available this year.
• Timeless design exterior with signature flagship loop surface and seamless metal body for a premium, understated look and refined feel in the hand. Designed with active usage in mind, the device has been constructed with a full body joint structure that is strong against any twist and bend. Equally tough against outside elements, Xperia XZ1 is water resistant, dust-proof and reinforced with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 on the display so it’s tough enough to withstand bumps and drops.
• For a personalised touch, the integrated fingerprint sensor works to intuitively recognise the owner, giving unique and secure assurance.
• Smart Stamina works ahead of time to keep users powered-up by estimating how long battery will last, based on how the smartphone is normally used, prompting users to activate Stamina mode when needed. • Powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 Mobile Platform with X16 LTE, the XZ1 is designed to provide blazing-fast Gigabit LTE downloads speeds (up to 1Gbps) and performance. The Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform is engineered to support stunning graphics, smooth performance and enhanced battery efficiency, perfect for smooth, responsive gameplay of PlayStation®4 games on PS4 Remote Play. File transfers are also super-charged thanks to the USB 3.1 connection which is 10 times quicker than USB 2.0 with a transfer speed of up to 5Gbps.

Features of the Xperia XZ1 Compact include:
• A premium compact smartphone in Sony’s uncompromised design philosophy, featuring beautiful diamond cut edges and a metallic finish.
• IP65/IP68 for water resistance iv, a metal antenna on top and bottom for improved connectivity and a strong, anti-twist and bend full-body structure with Glass Fiber reinforced plastic material together with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5.
• Download speeds of up to 800Mbps to download an episode of a TV series in 30 seconds. Performance is also boosted by the intelligence of Smart Cleaner which automatically detects unused apps and clears the cache, giving the fastest, smoothest performance possible. Accessories
• A range of supporting accessories will be available including Style Cover Touch in corresponding colours for Xperia XZ1 and Style Cover Stand in corresponding colours for both Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact.
• Also available is Quick Charger UCH12W providing hours of battery time by plugging in for just a few minutes.
• The new SBH24 Stereo Bluetooth® Headset, allows users to enjoy music and talk wirelessly, and the STH32 Stereo Headset will both be available in perfectly matched colours to both smartphones. Availability
• The Xperia XZ1 will be available from selected Irish operators from mid-September in Black and Moonlit Blue. Pricing will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
• The Xperia XZ1 Compact will be available from selected Irish operators from October. Colour variations and pricing will be revealed in the coming weeks.
• Both will ship with Android™ 8.0, Oreo. For more information on Sony Mobile Communications Ireland visit www.sony.ie. To keep up to date with Sony Xperia product news and launches in Ireland, visit @SonyMobileIE on Facebook and @SonyXperiaIE on Twitter and Instagram.


 -ENDS-

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TEIFEACH BY CLIODNA CUSSEN [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT]

TEIFEACH BY CLIODNA CUSSEN [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT]

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Cliodna Cussen was born and educated in Co. Limerick. She attended third level education in Dublin and Florence and is presently based in Dublin and Kerry. She works as a full-time sculptor using mostly bronze and stone. Cliodna does graphic work in the Graphic Studio Dublin and she also illustrates and publishes Irish Children's Stories. She has exhibited widely and won a number of awards for her work, including the Listowel Gold Medal for sculpture and the sculpture prize at the Oireachtas.

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MORE BY THIS ARTIST

LE POETE BY MICK DAVIS - RECYCLED TYRES [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017]

LE POETE BY MICK DAVIS - RECYCLED TYRES [SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT 2017]

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This was by far the one that I liked best. “I create tyre sculptures by first building a steel armature that forms the sculpture’s ‘skeleton.’ Then I attach tyres to the armature. For larger sculptures, I occasionally also work with used car tyres.”

 www.mickdavissculptor.com/bio

 

HOW MANY TIMES CAN A RESTAURANT CHANGE ITS NAME [+55 BAKERY NUMBER 61 BOLTON STREET]

HOW MANY TIMES CAN A RESTAURANT CHANGE ITS NAME [+55 BAKERY NUMBER 61 BOLTON STREET]

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The name appears to change about every eighteen months.  

  It is now known as the +55 Bakery but I have yet to visit. This was at one stage the location of my favourite restaurant in Dublin and what is now on offer here looks good so I will try my best to visit the +55 within the next few days. By the way Pulidos was excellent and very popular since it opened in April of last year. There have been so many restaurants here that I cannot remember them all but here are some of the names: Sab Inn Cafe [my favourite], Fairy’s Cake, Blue Skies Cafe, Budapest Restaurant and Pulidos. To the best of my knowledge there was a well known Video Rental shop at this location back in the days when people actually owned video recorders.   Here are some of them:

Memorial - Peadar Kearney 1883 – 1942

Memorial - Peadar Kearney 1883 – 1942

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Peadar Kearney, 12 December 1883 – 24 November 1942) was an Irish republican and composer of numerous rebel songs. In 1907 he wrote the lyrics to "The Soldier's Song" ("Amhrán na bhFiann,"), now the Irish national anthem. He was the uncle of Irish writers Brendan Behan and Dominic Behan. Kearney was born at 68 Lower Dorset Street, Dublin in 1883


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THE CHILDREN OF LIR BY OISIN KELLY

THE CHILDREN OF LIR BY OISIN KELLY

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The Children of Lir was commissioned for the Garden of Remembrance on Dublin's Parnell Square. The Garden was designed by former Dublin City Architect Daithi P. Hanly, who commissioned Oisín Kelly to make a statue to commemorate Irish freedom fighters. It was unveiled on Easter Monday 1966, the golden jubilee of the Easter Rising, by then President Eamon de Valera.

The sculpture drew criticism on the grounds that it was not fitting that a subject from pagan legend, in this case the Children of Lir, should be the basis of a public monument in a Christian country.


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