After dozens of years closed, the tallest tower of Ireland reopens for public

News24xx.com -  After closed for  47 years, now the tallest tower in Ireland has reopened to the public. Located in north Dublin, the tower was built in 1855 in the memory of Daniel O'Connell.

After opened, hundreds of tourists, both local and foreign, were seen coming in from different corners of the city to visit the O'Connell Tower on Monday, April 16 2018. With the height about 55 metres, the round-shaped tower built with stones is the tallest building in Ireland.

From this tower, the tourists can see  a 360 degree view of Dublin and its neighbouring counties of Wicklow and Meath with four windows at the top of the tower.

Before closed for public, in 1971, a huge bomb containing 10 pounds of gelignite hit the base of the tower, and causing structural damage and destroying the interior staircase.

Until now,  it has never been officially confirmed who really conducted the attack. And in 2016, Glasnevin Trust, the largest funeral services provider in Ireland, started work to restore the destroyed staircase that leads to the top of the tower.

The destroyed staircase has been restored strictly according to what it looked like in the past. Made of wrought iron, the spiral staircase consists of 198 hand-carved wooden steps ascending to the top of the tower with 6 landing platforms.

Daniel O'Connell is one of the greatest political figures in the first half of the 19th century in Ireland. Born in 1775, he died in Italy in 1847.

O'Connell was known for his fight for equal political and civil rights of Catholics in the country.

According to his last wishes, O'Connell's heart was buried in Rome while his remaining body is placed in a coffin at the base of the tower. And to remembering his fight, the tower was dedicated with his name, O'Connell Tower.

 

 

 

 

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