AT ST. STEPHEN’S GREEN
Photographed 13 February 2018 Published 23 February 2023
The original installation included two horse troughs [one of which had been replace by a modern copy in 1992. When I last photographed I complained that the horse troughs were missing but I was wrong because I had not noticed that the troughs were relocated further down the street. It should be mentioned that some now claim that the troughs may not have not have been part of the original installation.
The most recent heritage works began in 2014 with the successful removal to storage of the Lady Grattan Fountain at St. Stephen’s Green. The fountain which dates from 1888 was deemed to be in excellent condition and was returned close to its original location in 2017. Close inspection of the fountain and troughs had shown that some repairs which were carried out in the past had given way. Some new repairs to the stonework were recently undertaken.
The Lady Grattan Fountain was presented by Lady Laura Grattan (daughter in law of the patriot Henry Grattan, M.P whose statue stands in College Green) to the citizens of Dublin in 1880. The fountain was presented to the citizens of the city at a time when running water was only supplied to a small number of houses in the capital. The installation of fountains like this one in other locations within the city centre helped greatly in improving public health and hygiene generally.
It consists of a drinking fountain carved from polished granite stone. The cylindrical base supports a basin from which rises a quatrefoil shaft surmounted by a small Celtic cross. Decorative bronze spouts and fittings (some of which are missing) are set into the quatrefoil shaft.
Drinking cups would have originally been attached to the shaft to allow people to quench their thirsts, while horses would have been able to drink from the basin.
Flanking the structure are two granite rectangular troughs mounted on squared pedestal blocks. These troughs are likely to be unrelated historically with the drinking fountain and may have been brought from elsewhere during the twentieth century.
In 1992 the fountain was restored by Dublin City Council. The work involved bringing drinking water back to the fountain and replacing worn bronze castings, spouts and access doors. One of the horse troughs, which was badly damaged, was replaced by a modern copy.
