Talking Statue Tour of Old Dublin

While my daughter was finishing her studies at Trinity College Dublin, I returned to explore new tours launched by Failte Ireland, Ireland's leading tourism agency. We learn that the rivalry between posh Dublin 2 and traditional working-class Dublin 1 runs deep, like other North-South conflicts, but a visit to the city's famous statues, supplemented by QR codes that can be scanned to hear “famous” speeches, ensures fun for both sides of the Liffey.

Guest blogger: Gail Clifford of ABLE Travel and Photo

Table of contents: “Talking statues: a new way to visit Dublin's Old Town”

Disclosure: Our website contains affiliate links. It won't cost you anything extra to click on an affiliate link and purchase something we recommend. However, it will give us a small commission, which will help the site continue to be a free resource for travelers to explore the world together.

As we explored our surroundings we found that anyone interested in historical events or Irish heritage would be interested in seeing all that is available. It was also fun to go on a pub crawl.

listen Ten of the city's most famous statues were recently gifted with the gift of the gab, and all you need is a working phone (pro tip: grab an old phone and get a SIM card from Telecom Ireland)3'“For 20 euros, I get 60 minutes of phone time, but more importantly, I can connect to my US phone’s free WiFi, and a bit of shoe leather.

First stop, Oscar Wilde. I have visited his statue in the Plaza de Merlin more than any other statue in the city. The emerald green coat, the expression on the face, and It all fits nicely with what you read of his quips and more literary work as he stares across the street from the writer's lounge at his childhood home.

Scan the QR code, and Press the green button that says “GO!” Your phone rings…answer it and the statue “speaks” to you through some very talented actors.

You can listen to this funny and flamboyant gentleman here!

Next, I walked across the road to the National Gallery of Ireland. They require a reservation to enter, but are free. George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (1912) was adapted into the film My Fair Lady (1964). He had close ties with the gallery and believes he received much of his education here. Upon his death, Shaw bequeathed one-third of his royalties to the museum. This is enough to fund programs for disadvantaged youth and society at large.

At the Clare Street entrance you'll see his statue in the lobby.

At St. Stephen's Green, Wolfe Tone, a little-known figure from the 18th century, played an important role: this The revolutionaries fought to overthrow British rule and were killed for their troubles, leaving behind young wives and children.

I think what impressed me most were his off-the-cuff comments about Napoleon. it helps bring the timeline into one Better perspective.

Head to Suffolk Street to meet Ireland's most famous (and fictional) fishmonger, Molly Malone. Her song of the same name has become the city's unofficial anthem. Her statue even acknowledges this.

Although she is fictional, the history referenced in the song is accurate expression Like “Dublin's Fair City” and Streets supplier's Shouting “Live, live”. I find it interesting that Michaela McMahon, an American exchange student, won the public writing competition to write the screenplay for Molly.

Next are the two statues within the walls of Trinity College, Dublin. Although I have seen these statues many times while my daughter is in graduate school here, the pandemic has put me off.

Katie Byrne of Estate Facilities was kind enough to share this information with me.

George Salmon is a 19th century Mathematician, spent his academic career at TCD. from students to this As provost, he was not one to keep his views to himself. “Women will walk over my dead body into Trinity College!” more than one tour guide told me he said. Well, he's right. It is said that although women were granted the right to attend Trinity College, until the day of his death, none were actually admitted.

You can spend a few days exploring Trinity College's campus. Book of Kells. Long Hall (one of my favorite places on campus). The course goes all the way east. Spend some time in the clock tower and if you walk beneath it you will notice that not a single Trinity student does this. It is unlucky to walk under it before graduation.

You'll be surprised by the sculptures scattered throughout this campus. Many are Award-winningjust like the second entry in the Talking Statue.

Cross the River Liffey via Ha'Penny Bridge and you'll arrive at the Meeting Place, also known as the “Witch with a Bag”. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't find the QR code, so I www.talkingstatuesdublin.ie.

This is what they said: “Just across the Halfpenny Bridge, two women sat chatting after a busy day of shopping, their bags at their feet. Located in one of Dublin's most popular shopping areas – a bag from Arnotts in nearby Henry Street – Jackie McKenna's 1988 bronze sculpture Meeting Place was intended to reflect every day city ​​life. Shortly after the sculpture was installed, one of the bags was stolen—no small feat, as it was made of bronze and extremely heavy. The bag is now firmly attached to the ground“.

I hope they bring back QR codes soon.

O'Connell Street is an easy walk from Meeting Place.

Just beside the River Liffey you'll see the Daniel O'Connell Monument “The Great Liberator” with four women seated beneath it. Loyalty is the dog with wings in the front right.

Others represent patriotism, courage and eloquence. The map tells us, “Dublin poet Paula Meehan imagined Fidelity as a wise, compassionate figure ‘resting’.[ing] in silence/among one person heartbeat And the next one. When you hear a walking pedometer in the background, it is It's easy to visualize every beat.

The statue of James Larkin on O'Connell Street is located in front of the steeple, just in front of the GPO.

“Big Jim” was an impressive figure both physically and mentally, fighting for union rights for unskilled workers. He coined the phrase “a fair day's work for a fair day's wages.” He is now best known for his role in the 1913 Dublin Lockout.

you can listen to him here.

Within the General Post Office (GPO) you will find Library Qiulin. You can view the QR code from the following location this outside, but the best view is from this in(pass The high marble ceiling makes the recording very loud and attracts a lot of attention).

“The son of the war god Luger and the mortal woman Dexiting, the young Cuchulain

(Couran's Hound) Named for the ferocious hound that killed the blacksmith Cullain. self defenseand provide its services as a watchdog. “

Eamon de Valera, who was killed in battle by his enemy Lugaid, chose the statue to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising. He found that the sculpture “symbolized[e] The fearless courage and enduring consistency of our people. “

About a block from James Joyce on Earl Street North. His works include Ulysses, Finnegans Wake, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Dubliners.

Dublin was a favorite resting place for weary shoppers or revelers, and Mr Joyce considered returning permanently to the city, which he considered crucial to his writing despite living abroad for much of his life.

Finally we turned towards the River Liffey to find the James Connolly statue in Beresford Square.

At the age of 14 he moved from Edinburgh to Dublin and followed his one Trade union leader, political theorist, author and revolutionary socialist who became the leader of the 1916 Easter Rising.

The executions of Mr Connolly and other Easter Rising leaders deeply angered the Irish; arouse American and British sympathies led to Irish independence.

Following these statues around Dublin and visiting the city around them gave me a new appreciation for the city, and as I immersed myself in its history, I fell in love with it more intently and deeply. It is over 1,300 years old, but much of its history is lost. But I remain grateful to the historians who came before me who helped me understand the land of my ancestors. And look forward to the new ways I can show you and share my second home with you.

this is a Dublin Travel Guide and Guide to the Talking Statues in Dublin's Old Town. To start planning your trip to Dublin, check out these helpful travel tips and travel resources:

• Always use a trustworthy VPN service such as NorthVPN To avoid the algorithm interfering with your multiple searches for the best price. This will save a lot of money on your overall travel budget.

• Check Expedia.com Flights, accommodation and car rentals for your destination.

• Find hotels, accommodation and rentals: Booking.

• electronic visa Providing the latest travel advice and hassle-free online visa application.

• Make sure you always travel safely and happily with travel insurance suitable for travelers from safety wing.

• Create travel memories at your destination. Get your guide and find tour guides, events and activities in Dublin.

Gail Clifford, MD, has been practicing medicine for over 25 years on all five continents and in all 50 states. She was an avid traveler and enjoyed traveling with her parents, siblings, and daughter despite her modest income in school. She happily goes on new adventures, blog On her discoveries as a traveler writer With the photographer ABLE travel and photography.