THE HAGS WITH THE BAGS ON LOWER LIFFEY STREET
MEETING PLACE BY JACKIE McKENNA [LOCALLY KNOWN AS THE HAGS WITH THE BAGS]
The sculpture locally known as "The Hags with the Bags" is officially titled "Meeting Place".
🎨 The Art and its Recent Restoration
"Meeting Place" is a life-sized bronze sculpture depicting two ordinary women taking a break on a bench, their shopping bags resting at their feet. The piece is celebrated for its relatable, everyday charm.
Subject: The artwork captures a familiar slice of Dublin life—shoppers pausing for a chat. If you look closely at the bags, you can see one is from Arnotts, the famous department store located just up the street.
Theme: It was commissioned in 1988 as part of the Dublin Millennium celebrations. Unlike statues of historical or political figures, its purpose was to celebrate the ordinary people of the city, particularly its women.
Nickname: The affectionate local nickname, "The Hags with the Bags," is a classic example of Dublin's wry, self-deprecating humour, similar to other statues like the "Tart with the Cart" (Molly Malone).
Recent Restoration: It was recently restored. This work was part of a major public realm upgrade of Lower Liffey Street, which was completed in 2023-2024. As part of this project, the statue was professionally cleaned and slightly repositioned to its current, more prominent spot closer to the Ha'penny Bridge, integrating it into the new pedestrian plaza.
👩🎨 The Artist: Jackie McKenna
The artist is Jackie McKenna, a prominent Irish sculptor.
Background: Born in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, McKenna studied art in Sligo and at the Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design.
Artistic Focus: She has a long and respected career creating large-scale public art. Her work often focuses on social engagement, memory, and inter-human relations.
Other Work: McKenna is a co-founder of the Leitrim Sculpture Centre and has created many other significant public commissions throughout Ireland.
📍 The Location: Lower Liffey Street
The sculpture's location is key to its identity.
Position: It sits on the pedestrianised section of Lower Liffey Street, which serves as the northern entrance and exit of the iconic Ha'penny Bridge (officially the Liffey Bridge).
Significance: This is one of Dublin's busiest pedestrian thoroughfares. It connects the cultural and nightlife hub of Temple Bar on the south side with the bustling Henry Street shopping district on the north side.
Context: The statue perfectly reflects its surroundings. The two women are placed exactly where thousands of real shoppers pass every day, making it one of the city's most interactive and photographed pieces of art.
The sculpture locally known as "The Hags with the Bags" is officially titled "Meeting Place".
🎨 The Art and its Recent Restoration
"Meeting Place" is a life-sized bronze sculpture depicting two ordinary women taking a break on a bench, their shopping bags resting at their feet. The piece is celebrated for its relatable, everyday charm.
Subject: The artwork captures a familiar slice of Dublin life—shoppers pausing for a chat. If you look closely at the bags, you can see one is from Arnotts, the famous department store located just up the street.
Theme: It was commissioned in 1988 as part of the Dublin Millennium celebrations. Unlike statues of historical or political figures, its purpose was to celebrate the ordinary people of the city, particularly its women.
Nickname: The affectionate local nickname, "The Hags with the Bags," is a classic example of Dublin's wry, self-deprecating humour, similar to other statues like the "Tart with the Cart" (Molly Malone).
Recent Restoration: It was recently restored. This work was part of a major public realm upgrade of Lower Liffey Street, which was completed in 2023-2024. As part of this project, the statue was professionally cleaned and slightly repositioned to its current, more prominent spot closer to the Ha'penny Bridge, integrating it into the new pedestrian plaza.
👩🎨 The Artist: Jackie McKenna
The artist is Jackie McKenna, a prominent Irish sculptor.
Background: Born in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, McKenna studied art in Sligo and at the Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design.
Artistic Focus: She has a long and respected career creating large-scale public art. Her work often focuses on social engagement, memory, and inter-human relations.
Other Work: McKenna is a co-founder of the Leitrim Sculpture Centre and has created many other significant public commissions throughout Ireland.
📍 The Location: Lower Liffey Street
The sculpture's location is key to its identity.
Position: It sits on the pedestrianised section of Lower Liffey Street, which serves as the northern entrance and exit of the iconic Ha'penny Bridge (officially the Liffey Bridge).
Significance: This is one of Dublin's busiest pedestrian thoroughfares. It connects the cultural and nightlife hub of Temple Bar on the south side with the bustling Henry Street shopping district on the north side.
Context: The statue perfectly reflects its surroundings. The two women are placed exactly where thousands of real shoppers pass every day, making it one of the city's most interactive and photographed pieces of art.