O’ Connell Street, Dublin
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Condition
“The [O’Connell] Monument is primarily made of Ardbraccan limestone, with figures cast in bronze.
“In the hundred and thirty years since the monument was constructed – it has been exposed to the elements, gunfire, explosion, atmospheric pollution, bird droppings, graffiti, cleaning of graffiti. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the monument is in fair condition. Damage to stonework is generally superficial with only a couple of stones requiring indents as repairs. Some stone has been stained from copper oxide run-off from the bronze figures. The tooling to the surface of the stone has been eroded through zealous cleaning, giving the stonework an unsatisfactory waxy appearance.
“Although not usually recommended for historic buildings, it is felt that there is merit in considering the retooling of the stonework. Combed margins should be reinstated and the general surface finely tooled.
“Pointing to the stonework is generally required. This should be executed using a hydraulic lime based mortar.
“The bronze figures are in good condition. The sword of Patriotism is broken, and should be reinstated and there are numerous bullet holes through the figures, which can be left unrepaired.
“The winged figures stay in position under their own weight: while not verified, it is expected that the figure of O’Connell is anchored, as are the figures to the drum.
“The bronze figures merit cleaning and finishing with a patination oil, which should be applied regularly, possibly annually, care being taken not to allow oil onto the surface of the stone.Presentation of the Monument
“As originally conceived and presented, the monument was surrounded by a small area, which was contained by railings surmounting a small plinth. In addition, the monuments setting was enhanced by the positioning of lamps relating to the four corners of the area.
“Early photographs indicated the ‘chicane’ of the tramlines as they move to avoid the monument.
“Subsequent developments involved the removal of the railings, allowing people to use the plinth of the monument for sitting. THe raising of the street level has resulted in the bottom-most stone of the plinth being subsumed. The second from bottom step has been cut back to allow a path to be maintained around the monument, although this is a very narrow path.”* O’Connell Monument report requested by Dublin City Council. Written by Paul Arnold Architects. The previous report into all monuments was prepared by Archive Consultants.
Not exactly sure – it must be something sharp and not to obvious visually. Most likely designed to be uncomfortable for a bird to perch on.
Is there no chemical that could do this if smeared on the statue?If you look at the cornices of various buildings you will notice that there are small spikes sticking up from them at close intervals. These are there to stop birds from sitting there. Examples which come to mind for me are: Front Arch in Trinity and the old railway station in Dun Laoghaire (Restaurant Na Mara). I assume that the plate referred to is a similar device to these spikes.
I wonder was it anything to do with the pre-1988 layout of the street. Remember the median used to be irregular and broken for use as a carpark. Its only since 1988 that a full broad median has been in place.
Work is taking ages on the central area between Abbey and the Bridge probably as a result of the summer hols. However the pace has noticeably increased the past few days so it should be ready soon. Then the construction of the kiosks starts and I supposed this is the reason for removing the newly planted trees further down the street.
It is unfortunate to see that the City Council’s prechant for erecting poles with no visible use is being repeated on OO’Connell St. At least these ones are stainless steel rather than the ugly galvinised steel everywhere else in the city (and I mean everywhere!)
I wonder if there is any chance that the monuments restoration work will be extended to the Moore, Grattan and Davitt monuments on College Green. I would love to see that fountain repaired and the whole island floodlit.
That could be it.
Dead right about bare poles everywhere in the city. Submitted a photographic visual clutter ‘gallery of rogues’ to them for the Development Plan review back in March.
They make reference to the need to reduce visual clutter in the city in the ‘Manager’s Report’ (the summary of submissions recieved), but no actual plans or strategies as to how to reduce and minimise the chronic pole and signage clutter in the city.
There is reference to a city legibility study as part of the new development plan. Perhaps this might tackle it. However i have commented on it as well on a number of occasions but nothing ever gets done. They just increase. It would be interesting to know the actual cost of these works and the amount that Sierra (the main contractors responsible) have made from them.
I’m a bit sceptical of this O’Connell Street improvement/maintenance plan…..one only has to look, as I’ve said before, at the condition of Henry Street which got a 2 million pounds makeover only a few years back. Already it looks shoddy in places …the paving damaged and the original contemporary steel bins which were part of the makeover plan have been removed, only to be replaced with the old cast iron pastiche ones, adding inconsistency. Will O’Connell Streeet follow the same fate of half heartedness.
THIS POST IS BY DIASPORA (NOT DEVIN)
What really takes the biscuit is Liffey St,
at least 50% of the DCC specially paved surface was cut up by some utility contractor(s) and is now roughly tarred over.
Originally posted by GregF
Will O’Connell Streeet follow the same fate of half heartedness.Unfortunately, yes. Once the EU stops the cash injection, we can forget about any city beautification or upkeep. Also, what has happened to Henry St. is to be expected from the council – a total lack of respect for the city.
I hate to be negative but the Council will put the absolute minimum amount of cash towards the maintenance of the street.. we’ve already seen the filthy Spire which was ignored by the council for months.
It’s gonna be alot of hard work to keep this street looking good.. think of the amount disrespectful of gum spitters and indelible-pen holders that hang ’round there.
the ‘eu cash injection’ has already pretty much come to a stop …
Greg – I noted you comments on Henry street as well and I agree. I wrote to the Council about it…. will keep you posted when I hear back from the Public Domain Manager. IMO maintaining the street surface should be the least of his tasks.
To be fair to O’Connell St there are teams out every night power washing the pavements. However, this is a private company comtracted in to do this and no doubt handsomely paid for their services. Why can’t the CC’s Cleansing Divison do the job!? And if they can powerwash this street why cant they do the Boardwalk and Liffey Bridges as well! They are a state.
Did anyone see the article in the Times yesterday about the final tree removals from Upper O’Connell St?
Personally I believe you need to prune a street every once in a while
Agreed Diaspora. Not as if they are giant Californian Redwoods or something exotic anyway.
There are some in Rossmore Park, Monaghan, five I think. Three on the main drive in and a couple more buried deep in the park.
Check out plans for the final phase of O’Connell St on the city council’s website or on view in Civic Offices. It will look great. Quite a large number of and variety of kiosks in the plan. However brace yourselves for the protests about those 10 trees.
Also worth looking at is a Study of the City Walls of the city. DCC are launching a strategy to protect and enhance the remaining sections (of which suprisingly there are quite a few sites).
StephenC, is the section relating to the City Walls on the Council Web-Page or is it on show within the Council Offices?
Thanks
Phil
It’s on the website. Go to http://www.dublincity.ie and click in to the news section. It’s fourth one down.
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