This large stainless steel, pin-like monument is better known as “The Spire” but is officially named “The Monument of Light”. It is the world’s tallest sculpture and stands in O’ Connell Street, where Nelson’s Pillar once stood.

In 1999, the Spire was commissioned as part of a redesigned O’ Connell St. A committee under the then chairmanship of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Joe Doyle, chose the Spire through an international competition from a large number of submissions. It was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects and was manufactured by Radley Engineering of Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

The first section of the Spire was installed on December 18th 2002. Five additional 20m sections were added and the last installation of the Spire went up on Tuesday January 21st 2003. The Spire is an elongated cone of diameter 3m (9.8ft) at the base and narrowing to 15cm (5.9in) at the top. The Spire stands at 121.2m (397.6ft) and the total cost was €4,000,000.

During the day it maintains its steel look, but at dust the Spire appears to merge into the sky. The base of the Spire is lit and the top 12m (39ft) is illuminated to provide a beacon in the night sky across the city.

The Spire has been nominated for awards such as RIBA National Award & Stirling Prize shortlist 2004, British Construction Industry International Award finalist 2003 & Mies Van der Rohe Prize list 2005.

Location:

The Spire is located a 6 minute walk from the Castle Hotel.