Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Spire of Dublin

Thursday, 23rd June 2005 by James

The world’s largest sculpture, The Spire of Dublin, is 120 metres tall and is located on the site of the former Nelson’s Pillar which was destroyed in an IRA bombing. The pillar is really just a very big spike, with a diameter of 3m at the base narrowing to 15cm at the top, and has no stairs or viewing platform. It casts a good shadow though!

Thanks: Me!

6 Responses to 'Spire of Dublin'

  1. 1. Luke says:

    That looks really cool. I recommend going to GIS and typing this in so you can see what it really looks like.

  2. 2. Gaz (UK) says:

    Its lit up at night, help you navigate after pub crawls.

    Standing at the base and looking up at the top is vertigo inducing.

  3. 3. Ed says:

    “The spire”, normally refered to at the spike, or “the Stiffy near the Liffey” was the result of a competition to design the replacement to Nelson’s pillar. Everyone one I know hates this thing. It was choosen by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. The rules of the competition was to design something that would look elegant and fit in with the existing architecture. Well, who thinks a towering 120 meter metal spike fit’s in with georgian architecture?

  4. 4. PsiPhi says:

    One should also point out the irony of placing a giant needle in the very centre of a city with a huge heroin problem…

  5. 5. Pat Walsh says:

    I couldn’t believe the City of Dublin with all it’s beauty would construct a spike in the middle of O’Connell Street. They could have built a lovely restaurant with a view of Dublin. As it is it is a needle looking for a haystake.

  6. 6. Erin says:

    One word, yuck!! of all the things they could have built, they thought an overgrown POLE would be the most suitable thing…great taste there lads!!!!

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