Memorial to Oscar Wilde’s life
janaline's world journey

Memorial to Oscar Wilde’s life

I have only recently finished reading the Gothic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, by the Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde. I loved the book so visiting his memorial sculpture in Merrion Square in Dublin, Ireland was quite exciting. Oscar Wilde was born in 1854 at no. 1 Merrion Square – just across the road from where we were standing.

The statue of Oscar Wilde
Memorial to Oscar Wilde’s life

The monument is a three-part sculpture which references Oscar Wilde’s life. A colourful Oscar Wilde sits on a large 40 ton quartz boulder. They say this colourful sculpture of Oscar Wilde represents the colourful man he was in life. Across from him on one side is his pregnant wife, Constance, and on the other, the torso of a young Dionysus, God of youth, wine, poetry and theatre. Dionysus was an inspiration to Oscar, he even had a small statue of Dionysus on his writing desk. They even went a step further, showing Oscar’s love of all things Greek, by making Dionysus and Constance out of bronze.

The Dionysus statue
You have set yourself to music
Reading the etchings on the pillars
My friend Amy posing with Oscar Wilde’s wife!

The stone pillars are covered in quotations from Wilde’s writing, setting out his thoughts, opinions and witticisms on art and life. Some of the etchings are copied from the personal handwriting of famous Irish people including the poet Seamus Heaney and President Michael D. Higgins.

The statue of Constance Lloyd
Memorial to Oscar Wilde’s life

I have definitely been inspired to read some more of his books. Which Oscar Wilde book would you recommend?

11 comments

  1. It’s cliché but definitely The Importance of Being Earnest, especially if you enjoyed the witticisms. I have never actually visited the memorial despite studying in Dublin for four years and being Irish. Perhaps over Christmas… New follower! Looking forward to reading more of your blog 🙂

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