O’Connell Street and the Spire of Dublin

Just like Oxford Street in London, O’Connell Street is Dublin’s main road. No matter what time of the day you come here, this bustling shopping and tourist destination is almost always packed with people. Originally called Sackville Street until 1924, it was later renamed in honor of Daniel O’Connell, a national hero who dedicated his life to fighting for Ireland’s independence, finally achieved in 1922. You can see him standing before you, at the top of the column elevated in his honor. Nicknamed “The Liberator,” it is him who allowed Catholic emancipation for the Irish as well as becoming Dublin’s first Catholic mayor in 1841. Known for his eloquence, his commitment to civil rights, and his strength as a pacifist fighter, he will forever remain an important figure in Ireland’s political history, inspiring other leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. At the base of his statue, you’ll notice allegorical figures representing the virtues associated to his fight: Justice, Courage, Fidelity, and Wisdom. Angels also surround the monument, carrying shields engraved with the names of Irish towns and counties, symbolising the unity of the nation behind him and expressing gratitude for his dedication—not only to Dublin, but to all of Ireland. If you go further down the street for about 200 meters, you’ll come across Dublin’s new symbol: The Spire, also known as the “Monument of Light” for its sparkling effect during the day and its illumination at night. You can probably spot it from here—at 120 meters high, it is the tallest monument in Ireland. Its slender form starts with a 3-meter-wide base and tapers to a fine point of just 15 centimeters at the top. It is the British architect Ian Ritchie with his team who won the contest and chose to give Dublin this modern yet simple emblem, with its light reflection as a symbol of a contemporary Ireland looking towards a bright future.