Influence of Nationalism on Public Structure in Ireland

1784 Words8 Pages
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Ireland was going through drastic changes in public sculptures throughout the country due to an increase and influence of nationalism. Before, the country had been filled with sculptures with British influence but now the sculptures were gradually changing to ones of Irish significance. As nationalist views became increasingly popular, many British affiliated sculptures were dismantled or bombed including the statues of Queen Victoria, King William III, and King George I. The new public sculptures being erected in their places represented historic and political figures which showed the character of Ireland. When the new public monuments were erected, culture was put into political use. Views on sculptures were strong during this time and it affected the landscape of Ireland greatly during this time. Until the 1840’s almost all of the sculptures in Ireland reflected British connection and influence but this was soon to change as those from Catholic and nationalist identity began to proclaim their voice and strive for a change in the sculptures. Nationalist monuments began to appear when a interest in the cultural and political aspect of nationalism began to be more important. These ideas were further strengthened with the establishment of the Irish Free State, as revolutionary attitudes of the unionists were overturned. The public monuments that resulted from these changes represent shared values like patriotism, politics, war, and the arts, which could be shown as visual representations. As the public monuments were erected, the country changed. Yeats accounts for these changes when he states, “Our country’s course feels certain. . .you would find Dublin very different from what it was when we were fellow students in Kildare Street. The artistic and literary movement, in which I include the
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