Walking down Hawkin’s Street today taking pictures for another project and had to double take when I got to the Junction with Burgh Quay- The Sheehan monument has vanished! No doubt removed to make way for what seems to be Dublin’s least required bridge connecting Marlborough Street and Hawkin’s Street, does anyone have any idea where they’re putting it?!
Above is the memorial as it was. It’s going to be redundant anywhere else, given that it is a memorial to Patrick Sheehan, a member of the DMP who entered an open sewer in 1905 to rescue a workman named John Flemming who was overcome by fumes. He succumbed himself and both men died. Listed as helping are Tom Rochford, Clerk Of Works and Kevin Fitzpatrick, a Hackney driver. Below is the scene today:
So… Does anyone know the memorial’s fate?
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
No idea where they’re putting it. One of my favourite memorials in Dublin.
The bridge is required for the Luas BXD linkup, and since one of the two Luas lines will be going down Hawkins Street, I imagine they’d have to move the memorial anyway. No idea what the plan for it is.
I don’t fuc**g believe this. I’ve been passing regularly and I’d presumed at this stage the vandals wouldn’t have the cheek to remove it. I hope it’s just temporary. Of course he was a DMP man. If he’d have ran in the GPO and got lots of innocent people killed he’d be a real bleedin hero.
Doubt it is a temporary removal. The new tram line extension will run through there and I don’t see them swerving them around a replaced monument.
Sure I know all this stuff inside out, Ci. The Luas will eventually run right through what is now the pedestrian island that the Sheahan memorial calls home. The drawings for the bridge show it’s being moved about 3 metres to the west. The inscription itself reads that the rescue attempt happened “close by this spot” so it will remain relevant so long as it stays at the mouth of Hawkins St. The footpath will be built out so it should end up being more accessible rather than out the middle of the road.
Don’t ask me when it’ll be reinstated though. The bridge itself won’t take too long to complete. It’ll be bus and cyclist only for a few years till the Luas is built. But they’re not starting the tram line till 2015. It’ll probably be in storage for what…six years anyway? Don’t hold your breath.
Did you know Sheahan wrestled with an escaped bull on Grafton Street? True.
It sounds like he was a hell of a man for one man!
I’d be very grateful if somebody could provide more info on Tom Rochford (The Clerk of works that assisted Sheehan). Any reading material that I could look at? Thanks
You can see a photo of the south face of the monument taken in July 2011 here:
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I wonder if they’ll be re-instating the drinking fountain that was originally incorporated into the memorial and which was stopped up many moons ago. That would be a nice move when it’s being put in it’s new home. I wonder if anybody could find out where it’s stored in order to get some rare photos at this stage?!
It’s back now.
I took a photo of the memorial yesterday in Hawkins St. It’s moved a bit westward to make room the LUAS.
Indeed. Here is another one, taken today, from the top of the No.15 bus. Just entering Hawkins St. from Burgh Quay & looking towards O’Connell bridge.
In 2004-5 I researched the papers for an account of this tragic incident. The story was published in the Ireland’s Eye of that period (2005). Ireland’s Own carried a smaller article by a Limerick author. The Gardai at Pearse Street and his relatives held a commemoration ceremony after which we all retreated to The Station for refreshments. It was a fine day. I am so glad monument is re-erected near the original place. Pearse was originally College Street Station where this good man was stationed. I would believe the strength of him. Farmer’s sons worked on the farms and later a good number joined the DMP.
Hello, can anyone tell me if I can get a hard copy of the inscriptions on the monument. My Grandfather was working down the sewer when this happened and I have been told that the names of the workers are on the monument. Would be very grateful for any help with this.