I discovered this grotto in 2015 but the photographs that I took back then were not really useable so I needed to revisit the street but did not manage to do so until 2017.
In 2017 I made the mistake of asking someone who I thought was a local about the history of the statue and things went downhill very quickly … they did not like photographers and they were against everything including religion.
As Ireland has become much less religious over the last few decades I am surprised that these statues and grottos still survive and all that I have seen to date are in good condition.
According to some studies there are at least 28 ‘Marian Statues’ in Dublin and most, if not all, are located in working class areas. I am not sure if this particular statue is one of the 28 because I cannot find any mention of it. It might not be even be a so called ‘Marian Statue’
My understanding is that the majority were erected in 1954, the first Marian Year, on what would have been public property without formal permission so I suppose that there is a possibility that some of them may eventually be removed but that would be a great pity.
MARIAN STATUE – MARY QUEEN OF LOURDES ON FAUSSAGH ROAD ROUNDABOUT
Today I used a ten year old Sony NEX-7 camera combined with a Zeiss Batis 25mm lens. The Batis is a favourite of mine.
Bliain na Maidine (Marian Year) 1954 Erected by parishioners and friends A Mhuire A Bhainrion Lourdes Guidh Orainn (Mary, Queen of Lourdes, pray for us)
Other than the fact that this was erected in 1954 I cannot find much information about this statue. Back in 2013 the City Council had agreed to undertake some repair work as well as replacing the cross but I cannot find any documentation to indicate that such work has been completed. However, the installation is in good condition.
If you are not from Ireland you may be unaware of ‘Marian Statues’ and if you are younger than 35 or 40 you may also be unaware of them and even if you pass any of them on a daily basis you may not have given them much thought.
There are about 20 or 30 in Dublin alone and most of them are located on public land in what were working class areas back in the 1950s. One or two are located on private property with the statue at Broadstone Station being one example.
Most were financed and erected ahead of the Marian Year of 1954 when entire communities mobilised to have a statue in their area. If you were female and you were born in 1954 there is a very strong possibility that your name is Marian or some version of that name.
The majority are still well-kept and regularly maintained by a dedicated groups or dedicated individuals but at times it can be difficult to determine who actually maintains them.
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