O'Connell Street lies in the very centre of Dublin city, and it has often been centre-stage of the monumental events in Ireland’s history. Every year, it is the main route of the St Patrick’s Day parade, and people still gather here to demonstrate.

On its completion in 1785, O’Connell Street was considered one of the finest streets in... More Europe, and while it has gone though some much needed regeneration recently, it retains much charm and history. The 1913 Dublin lockout gatherings occurred here. The headquarters of the 1916 Easter Rising was here, much of the street was reduced to rubble, and the Irish Republic proclaimed. While much of the street was rebuilt, it still bears many pockmarks. Battles of the 1922 civil war were fought here, when anti-treaty fighters occupied the street after pro-treaty attacked the nearby Four Courts.
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At the junction of Parnell Street and O'Connell Street is the Charles Stewart Parnell Monument.

Made of solid Galway granite, it was paid for by the public and unveiled in 1911. Charles Stewart Parnell, who died at 45, made a huge impact in his short life. He was an Irish landlord, the nationalist political leader, a land reform agita... Moretor, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party. In fact, the British Prime Minister described him as the most remarkable person he had ever met. Such was his popularity that they rerouted the tram to make room for Parnell’s statue.Less

Next down the main stretch of O'Connell Street is the white man, pointing south.

Unveiled in 1893, this monument honours Father Mathew who introduced “The Pledge” to Irish society; “I promise to abstain from all intoxicating drinks except used medicinally and by order of a medical man and to discountenance the cause and practice of in... Moretemperance.” In its height, just before the Great Famine of 1845-1849, 3 million people, half the adult Irish population, had promised to no longer get drunk and angry. This is credited to have dramatically reduced the numbers of homicides, reports of “firing at a person,” “robbery of arms,” “appearing in arms,” “faction fights,” “rescuing of prisoners” and other mayhem. The number of people in jail reduced from 12,000 to just 7,000 between 1839 and 1845.Less

Where O’Connell Street meets North Earl Street, on the left hand side is a statue of the brilliant James Joyce, the novelist and poet considered to be one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Joyce is best known for "Dubliners," "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," and "Finnegan’s Wake." The story told in “Ulysses” was set on ... More16th June, and now it is celebrated around the world as “Bloomsday,” named for the central character, Leopold Bloom.

But, seeing as how Dubliners are an irreverent lot, this statue is nicknamed “The Prick with the Stick.”Less

The Spire of Dublin, officially titled the Monument of Light, is the world’s largest sculpture, and can cause great dizziness if you try to look straight up while standing at its base. Made of steel, it reflects the sunlight by day while at dusk, it appears to merge into the sky. It would be a bit of a stretch to say it’s popular, but nothing in it... Mores place has been. A millennial project, it was completed in 2003 which didn’t help. One of its many nicknames is “The Stiletto in the Ghetto.”

Its predecessor was the Anna Livia monument, a bronze statue of the personification of the River Liffey lying prone in a fountain, resulting in the nickname of “Floozie in the Jacuzzi.” She’s now bathing up the river near Heuston Station.

Still, she managed to be more popular than her predecessor; Nelson’s Pillar. He was a British naval commander and was famous for his victories against the French during the Napoleonic wars. The main issue at first was it was considered ugly, and in the way, but later, nationalist feeling took hold.

In May 1876, a newspaper printed a letter expressing a reader’s feelings on the matter:
In the centre of our city
Where the lines of traffic meet -
In the very path of commerce,
Blocking up a noble street -
As a figure in a picture
Disproportionately tall
Seems to make its right surroundings
Quite ridiculously small.

William Butler Yeats called for its removal, saying it was not “a beautiful object”. The Dublin Corporate tried to have it removed a number of times, but was thwarted as they didn’t have the power to do so. In 1954, the Dublin brigade of the IRA rather politely sent a letter to the Corporation requesting that it seek legislation for its removal. The following year, a group of students locked themselves inside the pillar and tried to melt it with flamethrowers. It didn’t work, but when they were asked to leave by the Gardai, they did, and none were charged. Politicians and Taoisigh argued against it, but the conversation only took a more definite and less polite tone in 1966. A group of former IRA volunteers planted a bomb that destroyed the upper half. Six days later, the Irish army blew up the rest of the pillar but unfortunately caused more surrounding destruction than the original blast.

The head was later kidnapped by a group of students; they leased the head for £200 a month to an antiques dealer in London for his shop window. It also appeared in a women's stocking commercial, shot on Killiney beach, and on the stage of the Olympia Theatre with The Dubliners. The students finally gave the head to the Lady Nelson of the day about six months later.Less

Just after the Spire, and raising his hands to the sky, is James Larkin.

This bronze statue was unveiled in 1980, although it had a typo. Alteration marks can be seen where the incorrect birth date of 1876 was amended to read 1874. Larkin, better known as Big Jim, founded the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union, the Irish Labour... More Party, and later the Workers’ Union of Ireland. Facing appalling working conditions, ITGWU’s membership rose to 10,000 by 1913, many of whom went on strike in protest. Employers in Dublin responded by locking out their staff from their premises for several months.

Eventually the strike ended when most workers, many of whom were on the brink of starvation, went back to work and signed pledges not to join a union. These events inspired James Plunkett’s “Strumpet City” and prompted W.B. Yeats to write “September 1913” in criticism of what the business class in Ireland had become:

What need you, being come to sense,
But fumble in a greasy till
And add the halfpence to the pence
And prayer to shivering prayer, until
You have dried the marrow from the bone;
For men were born to pray and save;
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.
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On the right hand side is The GPO, General Post Office, the most imposing building on O'Connell Street.

Its infamy comes mainly from being the headquarters of the 1916 Rising, an insurrection protesting British rule in Ireland. After occupying the building, the leaders hoisted two republican flags, and Padraig Pearse read a proclamati... Moreon, announcing the Republic. They didn’t last there though, after days of shelling, fire spread through the building, and they evacuated through tunnels to Moore Street. Realising they couldn’t get out without causing further loss of life, Pearse ordered all companies to surrender

"In order to prevent the further slaughter of Dublin citizens, and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers now surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, the members of the Provisional Government present at headquarters have agreed to an unconditional surrender, and the commandants of the various districts in the City and County will order their commands to lay down arms."

Because of injuries, deaths, and damage caused, the Rising wasn’t popular at the time in Ireland. However, the poor treatment of the leaders, arrested and executed, led to the resurgence of nationalism in Ireland.

The GPO was the only major rebel post to be physically taken during the week.

The statues that can be seen on the roof of the building represent Mercury on the right, with his staff and purse; Fidelity on the left, with her finger on her lip and a key in her hand; and Hibernia (the classical name for Ireland) in the centre, resting on her spear and holding a harp.

In the window, is Cú Chulainn, a legend of Irish mythology. He is noted in Irish mythical sagas for his superhuman strength and amazing deeds on the battlefield.Less

Just after the GPO, agin the middle strip of O'connell Street is the gently gesticulating white Sicilian marble statue of Sir John Gray, unveiled in 1879. Sir John Gray was an Irish physician, surgeon, proprietor of the Freemans’ Journal newspaper, journalist and politician. He is celebrated because he introduced a fresh water supply to Dublin city... More and suburbs, greatly improving public health.Less

Across the Luas (tram) line, is the rather defensive pose of William Smith O'Brien.

This statue was originally erected in 1870 at the O'Connell Bridge entrance to D'Olier Street, but was moved to O'Connell Street in 1929. William Smith O'Brien was an Irish nationalist, Member of Parliament and leader of the Young Ireland movement. ... More />
In 1848, he led landlords and tenants in a rising in three counties, with an impressively almost bloodless battle against police in County Tipperary. While he was sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, petitions for clemency were signed by 80,000 people in Ireland and England, and he was deported to Australia for life instead. This wasn’t quite the end of his story; he tried to escape his island prison but was betrayed by the captain of the ship he had hired to help. Five years later he was released on the condition that he never returned to Ireland. After just two years, he was granted a pardon, and returned to Ireland. He never played a public role in politics again.Less

Proud, straight and defiant, the man for whom the street is named, stands above all just at his street meets the O'Connell Bridge.

This heavy limestone grand design was unveiled to crowds in 1882. The four winged figures represent Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage and Eloquence. The figures that surround the drum represent O’Connell’s man... Morey labours and triumphs. Known as “The Liberator,” O’Connell entered adulthood at the time of the British Act of Union which removed Ireland’s legislative independence from Great Britain, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

In 1823, O’Connell founded the Catholic Association to address the fact that Catholics could not sit in parliament despite being in the majority. Welcoming all religions, and all classes, it served as a uniting and peaceful body. Its success led to O’Connell’s election to parliament in 1828, and he was able to take his seat the following year when Catholic Emancipation was granted. In the 1840s he turned his attention to the repeal of the Act of Union, and held “Monster Meetings” throughout the country. Rather than risk violence, he cancelled the meetings but was arrested nonetheless. His message from prison to his followers was “Obey my advice ... no violence.”

His final speech in the House of Commons was a plea to save the Irish from the famine that had struck the country. He died in Genoa in 1847, and according to his last wishes: “My body to Ireland, My heart to Rome, My soul to God."Less

The Ha’Penny Bridge, made of cast ornate, is officially the Liffey Bridge, but is named for the toll charged to cross it. Despite its relatively insignificant history, it's probably one of the most recognisable, and photographed landmarks in Dublin and gives an excellent view of the sweep of the Liffey through the city centre.

Here, y... Moreou’re met by “The Hags with the Bags,” a statue of two women engaged in conversation, with their shopping at their feet.Less

Unlike the areas surrounding it, Temple Bar has preserved its medieval street pattern, with many narrow cobbled streets. It is promoted as "Dublin's cultural quarter" and has a lively nightlife that is popular with tourists.

It has a good history too, it is the landing site of the Vikings, and the first settlement in Dublin was built h... Moreere. The republican revolutionary group, the Society of the United Irishmen, was formed at a meeting in a tavern in Eustace Street in 1791.

There’s a theatrical legacy too. Handel’s Messiah had its first airing here. Temple Bar also houses one of Europe’s oldest theatres, Smock Alley Theatre, one of Ireland’s smallest theatres, The New Theatre, and an excellent survivor of Victorian theatre, the Olympia. There are museums, galleries, a cinema, a college, markets and a lot of craic within its confines. On any given day, at any hour of the day, there’s a lot going on, so it’s a great place to stop for food, drink, and most definitely, for people watching.Less

If this building looks unexpectedly familiar, the Capitol Building in Washington DC was inspired by its plans. (Meanwhile, Leinster House was used as the inspiration for the White House).

Now a bank, the Irish government has been asking for it back--the Bank of Ireland building was formerly the Irish Houses of Parliament. It served as... More the seat of both chambers (the Lords and Commons) of the Irish Parliament of the Kingdom of Ireland for most of the 18th century until that parliament was abolished by the Act of Union of 1800.Less

Trinity College’s full title, rather grandly, is the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth. Founded in 1592, it is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland. Some of the grand alumni number Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett (Nobel Laureate in Literature), Ernest Walton (Nobel Laureate... More in Physics), Mairead Maguire (Nobel Laureate in Peace), three holders of the office of President of Ireland, and one Premier of New Zealand.

Its most famous occupant now is the Book of Kells, located in the Old Library, both of which are worth a visit. In the 18th century, the college received the Brian Boru harp, one of the three surviving medieval Gaelic harps, and a national symbol of Ireland, notably used on the Irish Euro coins.

One of the loveliest afternoons Dublin has to offer, is sitting in Trinity by the cricket pitch, listening to the gentle thwack of the ball, preferably while bathing in the sun. It can be difficult to keep track of time while you forget the city outside the walls, and enjoy the fresh air during this gentlest of past times.Less

On the corner of Trinity college and Grafton Street, this rather busty statue was erected in 1988 during Dublin's millennial celebrations and was to commemorate the unofficial anthem of Dublin, the song of "Molly Malone," also known as "Cockles and Mussels." The only monuments to women in Dublin are of fictional characters. The song, written by a S... Morecotsman, James Yorkston was first published in 1883 in the USA.

In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She was a fishmonger and sure it was no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they both wheeled their barrows through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She died of a fever and no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
Now her ghost wheels her barrow through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

(Otherwise known as The Tart with the Cart…)Less

While many of the shops on the pedestrianised Grafton Street are shared with many high streets in the UK and Ireland, it retains much of its charm. Bewley’s Oriental cafe is a celebration of all things Egyptian following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. It was founded by the Quaker Bewley family as an alternative to alcohol and is a gre... Moreat base to enjoy the street’s buskers. And they are talented, many Irish artists began trading their wares here, the Oscar winning Glen Hansard, Paddy Casey and Damien Rice. At Christmas, they’re joined by Bob Geldof, Bono and friends who busk in aid of a homeless charity.

As well as Bewley’s, Avoca Cafe, Cornucopia, Gotham Cafe, La Maison des Gourmet, Coppinger Row are all gaining reputations as Dublin institutions in themselves, and all highly recommended for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Butlers cafe also serves the finest hot chocolate in Ireland, but if you chose one of their coffees, you get to sample one of their delicious chocolates too. If a picnic is more your thing, Sheridan’s Cheesemongers has an array of Ireland’s finest artisan products.Less

Over on South William Street, the Powerscourt Townhouse is worth a diversion. It was built as the party house for Viscount Powerscourt in the 1700s, somewhere to entertain when the Parliament was in session. It is said to be unique in showing the transition in Georgian architecture from rococo style to neo-classic under one roof. If your feet are w... Moreeary at this stage, in what was once the inner courtyard, is now a sunbathed cafe bar.

The Dolls' Hospital is the newest resident, it ran for 70 years in its old location before it was forced to close doors. However, such was the public and media response, they were offered a home in Powerscourt, and fortunately, this toy repair institution only suspended business for one week. The hospital is exactly as described, the have mended and repaired the much loved dolls and teddy bears of generations of Irish children.Less

As soon as there is a hint of sunshine, students, office workers, and tourists alike flock to St Stephens green, but for some reason, it never feels crowded. The entrance is marked by the Fusilier’s Arch, built in 1907, a replica of the Arch of Titus in Rome.

Typical of gardens of its era, inside there is a Victorian bandstand, which ... Morestill gets much use.

To round off this walk, Dublin’s second O’Connell bridge humpbacks over the lake within the park, which has ducks in need of feeding, so a good idea to save some of your lunch for them.Less