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Did the republicans who blew up the Nelson Pillar in March 1966 not realise that now we young Dubliners could never "go up the pillar" and see the panoramic view over Dublin enjoyed since 1809 by Horatio Nelson's statue? The Pillar, as we called it, was "town": that's where the buses went. As the pillar caretaker said, "it was the view and not Nelson who brought people to the pillar". The always controversial monument was built by public subscription, made of Wicklow granite and black limestone, and had 168 stone steps leading to the 13ft statue; the pillar's architect was Francis Johnston and the overall cost was £6,299 18s 8d. Fallon illustrates how much Dublin changed while Nelson looked down. This is a meticulous and entertaining account, graced by wonderful archive photographs.
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