A TRIBUTE TO DERMOT MORGAN
THE JOKERS CHAIR IS A TRIBUTE TO DERMOT MORGAN [MERRION SQUARE 5 JULY 2025]
The 'Joker's Chair' in Merrion Square, Dublin, is a poignant tribute to the beloved Irish comedian and satirist, Dermot Morgan, best known for his role as Father Ted Crilly.
Who commissioned it?
The memorial was commissioned by Dermot Morgan's partner and funded by RTÉ (Ireland's National Television) with support from Dublin City Council. A key condition of the commission was that the piece should be allegorical rather than a direct representation of Morgan.
When was it installed?
The 'Joker's Chair' was installed in Merrion Square in 2002, four years after Morgan's sudden passing in 1998. It was unveiled by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Who was the artist?
The artist behind the 'Joker's Chair' is Catherine Greene, a Galway-born sculptor. Greene intended the chair to symbolise Morgan's role as a modern-day seer or Shakespearean fool, someone who fearlessly spoke the truth with wit and verve. The sculpture incorporates subtle elements like an eye beneath the seat, representing a "knowing eye," and balls on top of the seat, reminiscent of a jester's hat, all contributing to a sense of fun and comedy.
The 'Joker's Chair' in Merrion Square, Dublin, is a poignant tribute to the beloved Irish comedian and satirist, Dermot Morgan, best known for his role as Father Ted Crilly.
Who commissioned it?
The memorial was commissioned by Dermot Morgan's partner and funded by RTÉ (Ireland's National Television) with support from Dublin City Council. A key condition of the commission was that the piece should be allegorical rather than a direct representation of Morgan.
When was it installed?
The 'Joker's Chair' was installed in Merrion Square in 2002, four years after Morgan's sudden passing in 1998. It was unveiled by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Who was the artist?
The artist behind the 'Joker's Chair' is Catherine Greene, a Galway-born sculptor. Greene intended the chair to symbolise Morgan's role as a modern-day seer or Shakespearean fool, someone who fearlessly spoke the truth with wit and verve. The sculpture incorporates subtle elements like an eye beneath the seat, representing a "knowing eye," and balls on top of the seat, reminiscent of a jester's hat, all contributing to a sense of fun and comedy.