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Dublin's Talking Statues
Dublin City, Co. Dublin
Family friendly
Free to visit
Audio Guides
Have you ever wondered what Dublin's most famous statues might be able to tell you if they could talk? Wonder no more, as 12 of Dublin's most famous statues have been given the gift of the gab! Just bring along your phone when you pay them a visit, to hear their dramatic stories brought to life in this interactive self-guided walking tour or in the corresponding map, click on 'View Route' and away you go.

Using drama, humour and technology, Talking Statues breathes new life into the sculptured landmarks that surround us. Some approaches are dramatic, others comic and others flights of pure fantasy — all aim to persuade us to look at the statues with new eyes. All you'll need to do is click into the interactive map and follow along with the audio guide for each stop. Each statue has their own tale to recount, and together, they tell Dublin's magnificent story.

James Joyce Statue

The voice of this statue of Ireland's most famous literary icon, James Joyce, has been written by Roddy Doyle and voiced by Gabriel Byrne. Born in Rathgar in 1882, Joyce spent much of his adult life living abroad, but always placed Dublin at the centre of his writing — so it only makes sense his statue, designed by Marjorie Fitzgibbon, remains in the heart of Dublin’s city centre.

George Bernard Shaw Statue

This striking statue of writer George Bernard Shaw was sculpted by his great friend Paolo Troubetzkoy, and the story it tells was written by writer Arthur Mathews and spoken by actor Stephen Brennan. Shaw’s famous words about the importance of the arts feature on the wall behind — appropriate considering the proximity of the National Gallery of Ireland.

Meeting Place Statue

Meeting Place was sculpted by Jackie McKenna and unveiled in 1988, the year of Dublin’s Millennium celebrations. Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Hags with the Bags’, Meeting Place’s story was written by Rachel Kilfeather and spoken by actor Brenda Fricker.

James Connolly Statue

The Scottish-born socialist and Republican James Connolly is revered for his commitment to raising the standard of living for those in impoverished conditions. His statue is located beneath the imposing Loopline Bridge in Dublin, while its story is written and spoken by Brendan O’Carroll.

Oscar Wilde Statue

Internationally renowned and infinitely quotable, the great writer Oscar Wilde has always been celebrated for his devil-may-care attitude — captured so colourfully in Danny Osborne’s much-loved statue. Oscar reclines on a quartz boulder (sourced in the Wicklow Mountains), while his words are written by author John Banville and spoken by Andrew Scott.

Wolfe Tone Statue

The great revolutionary, immortalised in rousing song, may have been a diminutive man in height — but you would never know that from Edward Delaney’s magnificent 1964 statue. Wolfe Tone's story is written by author Patrick McCabe and spoken by actor Brendan Gleeson.

Jim Larkin Statue

One of Ireland’s greatest champions of workers’ rights, Jim Larkin was present during the 1913 Strike and Lockout. Oisin Kelly’s 1980 statue sees the great trade unionist in typically combative mode. His words are written by Enda Walsh and spoken by Stephen Rea.

Cú Chulainn Statue

The General Post Office (GPO) building (which housed the rebels during the 1916 Easter Rising) is a suitably grand public space in which to showcase Oliver Sheppard’s 1935 statue, The Death of Cú Chulainn. His story is written by Eoin Colfer and spoken by Peter Coonan.

George Salmon Statue

George Salmon was a professor of mathematics for many years, as well as a Church of Ireland rector. As provost of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s oldest university, he presided over its tri-centenary celebrations in 1892. His statue's words are written and spoken by Joe Duffy.

Angel Fidelity Statue

The graceful (yet mysterious) winged figure of Fidelity sits in the middle part of the famous Daniel O'Connell monument (designed by John Henry Foley), along with Patriotism, Courage and Eloquence. Her piece is written by Paula Meehan and spoken by actor Ruth Negga.

Molly Malone Statue

Molly Malone is a popular old Dublin folk song, telling the story of a young fishmonger who trades on the streets of Dublin and sadly dies of fever. While the figure of Molly is fictional, the song contains elements of true historical significance – and her statue has become the most photographed in Dublin today.

*Talking Statues Dublin was produced by Sing London for Fáilte Ireland

Trail details

Grade:
Easy trail
Format:
Linear trail
    Time:2 hours
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Contact details
Dublin, Ireland
Visit duration

2 hours

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More to discover at Dublin's Talking Statues
Free things to doWolfe Tone

Theodore Wolfe Tone rose to become the leader of the 1798 Irish Rebellion, and is widely regarded as the father of Irish republicanism. The great revolutionary is immortalised in rousing song and in Edward Delaney’s magnificent 1964 statue at the entrance to St Stephen's Green.

Free things to doGeorge Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was sculpted by his great friend, Paolo Troubetzkoy. Shaw’s famous words about the importance of art feature on the wall behind, appropriate considering the statue's position in front of the National Gallery of Ireland at the Clare St entrance.

City breaksOscar Wilde

The great writer was celebrated for his devil-may-care attitude to life and that’s captured in Danny Osborne’s much-loved statue. Oscar reclines on a quartz boulder - sourced in the Wicklow Mountain - and decorated with colourful semi-precious stone. It was unveiled in 1997.

Free things to doGeorge Salmon

George Salmon was professor of mathematics for many years as well as a Church of Ireland rector. He was provost of Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College Dublin, during its tri-centenary celebrations in 1892.

Free things to doMolly Malone

The Molly Malone statue is located in Suffolk Street, a short distance from Trinity College and Grafton Street. Molly Malone was a semi historical, semi-legendary figure who was commemorated in the song 'Cockles and Mussels', a Dublin anthem.

Free things to doJames Connolly

The Scottish born James Connolly was many things in his lifetime. However, he is best remembered as the inspirational Commandant of the Dublin Brigade during the 1916 Easter Rising. He is revered for his commitment to raising the standard of living for those in impoverished conditions. His statue is located beneath the imposing Loopline rail Bridge near the Customs House.

Free things to doJim Larkin

Jim Larkin was one of Ireland’s greatest champions of workers’ rights and he was present during the 1913 Strike and Lockout. Oisin Kelly’s 1980 statue sees the great trade unionist in typically combative mode.

Free things to doJames Joyce

James Joyce was an internationally renowned Irish novelist and poet. There are plaques dedicated to him throughout Dublin on Clanbrassil Street, in Chapelizod, Ormond Quay and Merrion Square Gardens. The Martello Tower in Sandycove is a museum dedicated to his memory. His statue on North Earl Street is one of the signature sights of Dublin.

Free things to doCú Chulainn

The General Post Office (GPO) that housed the rebels during the 1916 Rising is a suitably grand public space to show Oliver Sheppard’s 1935 statue, The Death of Cú Chulainn.

Free things to doMeeting Place

At the North end of the Ha'Penny Bridge, the Meeting Place is affectionately nicknamed ‘the Hags with the Bags’ by the locals. Sculpted by Jackie McKenna, it was unveiled in 1988, the year of Dublin’s Millennium celebrations.

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