THE QUEEN VICTORIAL MEMORIAL IN DUN LAOGHAIRE
THE QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN [DUN LAOGHAIRE 2 JULY 2025]
The Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain in Dún Laoghaire holds a complex and often contentious place in the town's history. It was erected in 1900 to commemorate Queen Victoria's visit to Ireland, specifically disembarking at Kingstown (as Dún Laoghaire was then known). The fountain was a product of the Glasgow manufacturers Walter McFarland & Co., designed to a standardised pattern used across the British colonies.
Why it became derelict:
The fountain's dereliction was primarily due to its symbolic association with British rule in Ireland and the subsequent political tensions. After Ireland gained independence, many monuments linked to the British monarchy became targets of nationalist sentiment. The Queen Victoria Fountain suffered repeated attacks and vandalism.
Most significantly, in 1981, the fountain was badly damaged, with its 18-foot high canopy being lost. The group responsible claimed to be acting on behalf of H-Block prisoners, highlighting the ongoing political unrest in Northern Ireland and its resonance in the Republic. This severe act of vandalism left the fountain in a derelict state for an extended period.
When the decision was made to restore it:
Plans to restore and reinstate the fountain were made in 2001. The actual restoration work, undertaken by Industrial Heritage (a Scottish firm that inherited much of McFarland & Co.'s business), was completed in 2002 or 2003. The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company funded the project, using original patterns to recreate the cast-iron filigree dome and even conducting a paint analysis to determine the original colour.
Popularity and awareness of its history:
The popularity of the fountain with the people of Dún Laoghaire is likely varied and complex. While its restoration was seen by some as a positive step in preserving local heritage and an example of fine Victorian craftsmanship, it has also been a focal point for strong nationalist objections.
When the fountain was unveiled after its restoration in 2003, Sinn Féin members in Dún Laoghaire picketed the event, calling the monument "inappropriate, unnecessary and offensive" due to Queen Victoria's reign during the Great Famine. This indicates that a segment of the local population views the fountain through a lens of historical grievance and would prefer it not to be a prominent feature. In 2020, it was again spray-painted red, with activists calling to "Tear Down the Genocide Queen," demonstrating that these sentiments persist.
It is highly probable that a significant portion of the people of Dún Laoghaire are aware of its turbulent history. The repeated acts of vandalism, the public debates surrounding its restoration, and the ongoing protests ensure that the fountain's past is not easily forgotten. It serves as a tangible reminder of the complex relationship between Ireland and its colonial past, making it more than just a decorative object. While some may appreciate its aesthetic or historical value as a Victorian artefact, others will continue to see it as a symbol of imperialism.
The Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain in Dún Laoghaire holds a complex and often contentious place in the town's history. It was erected in 1900 to commemorate Queen Victoria's visit to Ireland, specifically disembarking at Kingstown (as Dún Laoghaire was then known). The fountain was a product of the Glasgow manufacturers Walter McFarland & Co., designed to a standardised pattern used across the British colonies.
Why it became derelict:
The fountain's dereliction was primarily due to its symbolic association with British rule in Ireland and the subsequent political tensions. After Ireland gained independence, many monuments linked to the British monarchy became targets of nationalist sentiment. The Queen Victoria Fountain suffered repeated attacks and vandalism.
Most significantly, in 1981, the fountain was badly damaged, with its 18-foot high canopy being lost. The group responsible claimed to be acting on behalf of H-Block prisoners, highlighting the ongoing political unrest in Northern Ireland and its resonance in the Republic. This severe act of vandalism left the fountain in a derelict state for an extended period.
When the decision was made to restore it:
Plans to restore and reinstate the fountain were made in 2001. The actual restoration work, undertaken by Industrial Heritage (a Scottish firm that inherited much of McFarland & Co.'s business), was completed in 2002 or 2003. The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company funded the project, using original patterns to recreate the cast-iron filigree dome and even conducting a paint analysis to determine the original colour.
Popularity and awareness of its history:
The popularity of the fountain with the people of Dún Laoghaire is likely varied and complex. While its restoration was seen by some as a positive step in preserving local heritage and an example of fine Victorian craftsmanship, it has also been a focal point for strong nationalist objections.
When the fountain was unveiled after its restoration in 2003, Sinn Féin members in Dún Laoghaire picketed the event, calling the monument "inappropriate, unnecessary and offensive" due to Queen Victoria's reign during the Great Famine. This indicates that a segment of the local population views the fountain through a lens of historical grievance and would prefer it not to be a prominent feature. In 2020, it was again spray-painted red, with activists calling to "Tear Down the Genocide Queen," demonstrating that these sentiments persist.
It is highly probable that a significant portion of the people of Dún Laoghaire are aware of its turbulent history. The repeated acts of vandalism, the public debates surrounding its restoration, and the ongoing protests ensure that the fountain's past is not easily forgotten. It serves as a tangible reminder of the complex relationship between Ireland and its colonial past, making it more than just a decorative object. While some may appreciate its aesthetic or historical value as a Victorian artefact, others will continue to see it as a symbol of imperialism.