Patrick Kavanagh was an Irish poet and novelist. Regarded as one of the foremost poets of the 20th century, his best known works include the novel Tarry Flynn and the poems Raglan Road and The Great Hunger. Kavanagh (1904–1967) was born in the village of Inniskeen, County Monaghan. His father was a shoemaker and had a small farm.

There are plaques dedicated to Irish writer Patrick Kavanagh at 19 Raglan Road and 62 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge.

But best known to most Dubliners and tourists is the bench which has a life-sized statue of Kavanagh sitting on one side. It was from this seat that Kavanagh got much of his inspiration for his poetry.

"Paddy" Kavanagh is one of John Coll's most prominent works of art, situated on the north bank of the Grand Canal on Mespil Road. The statue was built as part of the Dublin 1991 European City of Culture celebrations, unveiled by President Mary Robinson. It was inspired by his poem "Lines written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin". Patrick Kavanagh found solace beside the Grand Canal and often sat there to contemplate his life.

The Grand Canal is a favourite place for cyclists to explore with mature trees and cycle paths.