Now, to Dublin, where most of the best Wolfhound artefacts in Ireland are to be found.
In nice Spring sunshine, myself, Marion and son,
Max, set off armed with camera to check out the main Wolfhound must-see items.
For anyone wishing to follow the route, it takes less than a day. Firstly then,
to O’Connell Street, to view the Wolfhound on the O’Connell Monument.


The O’Connell Monument 1862
It was built to commemorate the "Liberator" Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847) after whom the street
was renamed after Irish independence. Started in 1862, it took 20 years to complete.
It was designed by John Henry Foley (1818-1874) the leading sculptor of the day.
He died before it was completed and his assistant finished the work.
The monument is in three parts, surmounted by the figure of O'Connell.
The base is heavy limestone with four winged figures representing Patriotism, Fidelity,
Courage and Eloquence. I couldn’t identify which figure is talking to the Wolfhound.
All four seem equally appropriate

It’s a short drive west up the Liffey River to Collins Barracks, the imposing and vast building
enclosing a parade ground quadrangle, which now has been given over to
the National Museum of Ireland. We remembered various Wolfhound
items there from a previous visit some years ago.
Luckily, they were still on display, part of a permanent exhibition.

National Bank Emblem
We had started out at 11 o’clock, and it is now time for a late lunch in the Avoca Café
in Wicklow Street (Try their fish pie!). Then, a short walk through to College Green
(in front of Trinity College). Here is the Habitat premises,
originally, the National Bank of Ireland, which was founded by Daniel O’Connell.
The emblem of the bank is represented on the roof line, which bears the
inscription "Eireann go Brath" and features the usual round tower, wolfhound and
Irish harp beside Hibernia. The work is by the partnership, Pearse and Sharpe
(James Pearse was the father of the revolutionary, Padraig).