O'Connell Street

[buchanan]

Does anyone know what the metal spire on O'Connell Street in Dublin represents?

[anfieldman]

The Dublin Spire was constructed in memory of Nelson. It won a competition to replace Nelson's Pillar which was blown up in 1966.

[bluedolphin]

It is a place where, if u annoy any tru dub, you will be told to go and hang ur tackle from....and that is the truth ruth! thus replacing the five lamps... .....as for commemorating Nelson....i have grave doubts bout that one....

[thewillow]

It was certainly not constructed in memory of Nelson. It is merely on the same site as the Nelson Pillar which as anfieldman says was blown up by the IRA in 1966. If it represents anything, it would be an abstract concept - probably some guff like "a confident, thrusting Ireland within Europe". My favourite nickname for it is "the Stiffy by the Liffey". It took ages to be erected, during which time, a gigantic crane stood near Clery's department. When it was finally taken down, some wag said "I can see Clery's now, the crane is gone".

[bluedolphin]

100 points to the wag....funniest thing I've heard in ages.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Having just returned from Dublin recently, I was told it was actually the 'Millennium Spike', even though it didn't go up until 2002!

More about the winning entry here: http://www.archeire.com/onsite/spike/

[thewillow]

Waldo - 'tis true.