The bronze statue of Henry Grattan has been keeping an eye over the front gates of Trinity College since January 1876. Designed by John Henry Foley, a Dubliner, the spot where the statue stands was originally chosen as a site for the Prince Albert Memorial, but through the efforts of the late A. M. Sullivan, author of the “Story of Ireland,” it was reserved for Grattan’s statue, while the other was changed to the lawn of the Royal Dublin Society.
To either side of the statue’s front, are two of the original four gas lamp standards, decorated with carved Hippocampus i.e. Sea Horses. It is believed that the other two lamps were removed in the mid 20th century but their current whereabouts are unknown. Interestingly, Grattan’s bridge which links Parliament Street and Capel Street is also furnished with beautiful Hippocampus’ lamp ornaments.
If anyone has any information on the missing two lamposts, can help me date the following photographs or can provide any more historic images of the statue, get in touch.
1870s. Before the sea horse lamps were introduced
Late 19th century.
Late 19th century?
Side view. Late 19th Century.
A quiet scene. Late 19th century?
Rear view. Early 1900s?
Early 1900s.
Busy street scene. Early 1900s?
Side view. Early 1900s?
Early 20th Century.
Early 20th Century.
View from 1924 (Notice the little 'YMCA' sheds)
1961 (Notice two sea horse lamposts removed)
2009, Suffocated by trees. (Picture - GrahamH)
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
[…] the loyalist bombing of the Daniel O’Connell statue in 1969, and jaycarax had a fascinating photographic history of Henry Grattan’s statue, the Trinity graduate facing his Alma Mater at College […]
[…] disappeared sometime in the 20th century. For more historic pictures of the statue, check out an old post of ours from January […]
[…] “Henry Grattan Statue: A Photographic History” Come here to me: Dublin life & culture. 2010. Web. https://comeheretome.com/2010/01/17/henry-grattan-statue-a-photographic-history/ […]
Great collection of photos – you could refine the chronology a bit more by factoring in the electrification of the tramlines in September 1899 i.e. any photos with electric cables are most likely early 20C and those with tramlines but no cables are between 1878 and 1899
great point. thanks Ciarán.
Hello there, merry x-mas, I have in my collection a original water colour painting of O’connell – Sackville street, Dublin, there is no artist name on it, but has a few numbers on the rear of the pasteboard, circa 1890’s. Has great detail in the painting of the Pillar and also Gratten. Can someone please tell me who the artist is?
Thankyou for your time and look forward in hearing from someone.
Yours truly Guy,
Contact me on my gmail,
guyguymcintosh@gmail.com