|
|
|
Nelson's Pillar, Dublin
What is the story behind this picture?
|  |
A new monument has recently been erected on the site where Nelson's Pillar formerly stood in Dublin, Ireland.
However it bears no resemblance to the original column, which was built by the British to commemorate Horatio Nelson.
Nelson was the admiral who led the defeat of the French Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, but died in the battle. The Dublin pillar had features in common with the well-known Nelson's Column, which stands in Trafalgar Square in London.
When the Irish Free State was formed in the south of Ireland in the 1920s, they left Nelson's Pillar in place, despite its associations with the earlier period of British rule.
However, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which aimed to create a united Ireland, eventually took direct action to destroy Nelson's Pillar. An explosion on 8th March 1966, 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, destroyed the column, and no official effort was made to replace it.
|
This photo shows the pillar intact.
|  |
|
Here is another picture of the pillar, following the explosion of 8th March 1966.
This appears to show an early stage in the demolition of the remains, prior to the final stage shown in the photo above which shows only the base of the pillar.
|  |
|
|
|
|
|