Over the years we’ve looked at many of Dublin’s brilliant and controversial statues, but one which I’d not stumbled across was the statue to the great Socrates in the Botanic Gardens. My brother was strolling through the grounds and took a photograph, and I wonder how many others are unaware of its presence in Dublin.
Socrates in the Botanic Gardens. (L.Fallon)
Not quite a signatory of the 1916 Proclamation or anything else you might expect of a man immortalised in this form in Dublin, Socrates (c. 469 BC – 399 BC) is one of the founders of Western philosophy, celebrated for his contributions in the field of ethics in particular. Does anyone have any information on the origins of this brilliant statue, and how it came to be placed in Dublin?
A friend joked it must be in honour of his time spent playing the beautiful game with UCD AFC. A brilliant joke, but that was another Socrates, and he never kicked a ball apparently.
Socrates in the Botanic Gardens (Irish Independent, January 1966)
dfallon
hXci
Sam
There is a man called Dr Matthew Jebb in charge up there I am sure he would know I met him once & he seemed to know & love the place passionately !
How intriguing! I hope you will post more information when you find it
Gardens everywhere often have statues of philosophers
any chance of a post on fr. pat noise or the tomb of the unknown gurrier?
Philosophers are fond of Botanic Gardens…:)
This plaque is in the large greenhouse in Glasnevin’s Botanic Gardens…
https://picasaweb.google.com/106979769366811409480/AutumnIreland2012#5445969905722773586
Ludwig Wittgenstein liked to sit here in the greenhouse on the steps..I wonder what he contemplated?