DR ISSAC WILLIAM USHER MEMORIAL – HE DIED AS THE RESULT OF A CAR ACCIDENT 1917
Dr Isaac Usher was a popular resident of Dundrum at the beginning of the 20th Century. He did a lot for the town but unfortunately he was killed in one of the first accidents involving a motor car in Ireland, when a car struck him while reversing near the station in 1917. The residents decided to build a monument to honour him.
The monument was a stone obelisk with a source of water and a trough to provide drinking water for passing horses. There were also brass cups on chains which could be used for drinking by humans. The monument was placed right in the middle of the northern crossroads.
Note: It’s about 152 years since the world’s first-ever death due to a motor car accident. Irish scientist Mary Ward died on August 31, 1869, in Birr, Co Offaly. She died instantly when she fell out of her cousin’s steam-powered car and under its wheel. However, the first pedestrian killed by an automobile was Bridget Driscoll, who received fatal injuries when she walked into the path of a car moving at 4 mph (6.4 km/h), as it was giving demonstration rides in the grounds of Crystal Palace, London, UK on 17 August 1896.
This is located on Hawkins Street and as a matter of interest Hawkins House, Dublin’s ugliest buildings, is scheduled to be levelled, three years after its demolition and redevelopment was granted planning permission. My father had an office in the building for about a year and he hated it.
Constable Sheahan was a member of the Dublin Metropolitan Police force. He lost in life in tragic circumstances in May 1905 when he was overcome by deadly gas in the sewers of Dublin as he attempted to rescue unconscious workmen. Sheahan’s heroics touched the heart of native Dubliners, as this young man of only 29 had given everything in an attempt to save others. In 1906 a monument to Sheahan was erected, paid for my public subscription, and placed at the site of the tragedy.
This memorial incorporates a water fountain and for many years I have complained that in general fountains in Dublin appear to lack water and in most cases they are badly maintained. Unfortunately, one of my photographs may explain why fountains in Dublin no longer contain water … they are used as asktrays by people smoking outside pubs.
This particular memorial is well maintained but it should be noted that it has been recently relocated [slightly] to make way for the new Luas tram tracks.
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