1911 – Parnell Monument, O’Connell Street, Dublin

A long drawn out project, the Parnell Monument was designed by Dublin-born American sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens with the assistance of two architects – Henry Bacon of McKim, Meade, and White, and Irish architect George P. Sheridan. It is believed that the obelisk element was designed by Bacon with local construction supervision by Sheridan. In contrast to the O’Connell Monument at the opposite end of the street, Parnell stands at the bottom with the triangular obelisk to his back, facing down the length of the street.

The monument was unveiled by, the leader of the moderate Irish Parliamentary Party, John Redmond (1856-1918) on October 1, 1911. The reaction was mixed. The Irish Builder wasn’t keen, “more peculiar than appealing – although original it undoubtedly is”. The Irish Architect was more enthusiastic: “The monument has proved the complete artistic success which we anticipated. All those present were struck by its beauty and chaste outline.” And

“The statue of Parnell, standing on a pedestal at the base of the triangular shaft, completes a great work on which St. Gaudens laboured with great zest and an enthusiasm begotten of his Celtic origin. In honouring his mother’s nationality, he left Ireland a work of art instilled with that feeling of strength and refinement which labels the work as being that of a great artist, and which shall remain for all time a remarkable tribute to the genius of St. Gaudens.
The Irish Architect, September 30, 1911