Sir, - Although there may yet be another plan to revitalise O'Connell Street in the pipeline, maybe one relatively modest initiative might be considered in the meantime - something it might even be possible to complete in time for the over-hyped "millennium".
The O'Connell monument is presently a dark brooding mass at night-time at the southern end of the street. Although this statue, completed around 1870, is one of the finest works of the 19th-century Irish sculptor John Henry Foley, it seems to have been quite neglected ever since, even losing part of its base to facilitate traffic movement some years ago.
The frieze of this monument shows Erin holding in her left hand the Act of Catholic Emancipation and trampling on her fetters. She points with her right hand to the "Liberator" above, while around the frieze Irishmen of all classes hasten to see the details of the charter held by Erin. Surely the symbolism of this very well executed monument must be appreciated by many people living in this country, as it represents a seachange within the course of events for much of the past millennium.
A thorough cleaning and floodlighting of this important Victorian monument would not only add definition, scale and authority to an otherwise undistinguished O'Connell Street at night, but would also underline an important aspect of Irish history. At the same time it could provide the Roman Catholic Church with an opportunity to celebrate a dignified chapter in its history. - Yours, etc.,
Dermott Barrett, Lennox Street, Dublin 8.