On 21 January 2003 the 120 metre Spire in the centre of Dublin's O'Connell Street was finally completed.
On the site of the former Nelson's Pillar, which was blown up in 1966, reporter Ciaran Garry was there to witness the final piece of the Spire being put in place. Ciaran speaks to people on the street to get their views on The Spire, which are predominantly positive. Described by onlookers as
a symbol of the new Ireland
and
a feat of modern engineering
Ciaran Garry also speaks to Paul O'Kelly, son of the late Kevin O'Kelly (1924–1994), who was the first reporter on the spot when Nelson's Pillar was blown up. Paul describes The Spire as
an extraordinary symbol of optimism.
Another onlooker refers to The Spire as "The Spike", one of the many nicknames Dubliners have to come to refer to it as.
This report for RTÉ Radio News at One was broadcast on 21 January 2003 and is introduced by presenter Seán O'Rourke.
The accompanying photograph shows a view of Oisin Kelly's statue of Jim Larkin, outside the General Post Office (GPO) on Dublin's O'Connell Street, on 15 January 2003. This shot was taken during the erection of the Spire of Dublin (or 'Spike') which can be seen in the background. Two of the Spire's six sections are in place. This photograph was taken by Thomas Holton.
The Spire of Dublin was erected between December 2002 and January 2003. It was designed by architect Ian Ritchie, who won the Dublin City Council competition to find a suitable replacement for the Pillar. It is 120m high, making it the tallest sculpture in the world, and is 3m wide at the base narrowing to 15cm at the top.
