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.
The Sony A7RII does not perform well in low light and the sky had an unusual purple colour which was reflected by the water.
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city with seafood as recently as the end of the 19th century. People have been gathering seafood and fishing from the area for millennia. It is one of the oldest former fishing villages in Ireland – its existence having been recorded since the arrival of Christianity in the 5th century.
During the 19th century the Claddagh attracted many visitors, including writers who spread its fame. The original village of thatched cottages was razed in the 1930s and replaced by a council-housing scheme.
The Claddagh is most famous internationally for the Claddagh ring, which is popular among those of Irish heritage as both a friendship and wedding ring. This traditional design consists of two clasped hands holding a crowned heart, and symbolises love, friendship and loyalty.
The Claddagh area contains a national school, Community Centre and a Catholic Church as well as the new Claddagh Arts Centre.
Notable natives of the area include Thomas Grady, recipient of the Victoria Cross.
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