Dublin Statues and Their Notorious Nicknames
Do you know the Dubliner names for the statues around town? Here are some of the most famous, raunchily nicknamed statues in Dublin.
Dublin is filled with grand statues that are beautiful works of art, but there is one thing that adds a unique flavor to the city: their notorious nicknames.
During one of my trips to Dublin, our city tour guide mentioned the humorous nicknames people have given the city’s statues over the years, and he promised to regale us with their nicknaming tales later on in the tour, but he never did. Since I was my own family’s designated tour guide, the burden fell on me to find the nicknames of the statues we came across.
The city is home to many oversized sculptures of political leaders and beloved writers that have gained humorous nicknames from locals.
From “The Hags with the Bags” to “The Prick with a Stick”, here are some of Dublin’s most famous, raunchily nicknamed statues.
Dublin’s Famous Statues & Their Nicknames
Add a little color to your walking tour as you stroll around some of Dublin’s most famous nicknamed landmarks.
James Joyce Statue
Nickname: The Prick With a Stick
The famous Irish novelist and poet is honored with this sassy statue on North Earl Street just off of O’Connell Street. Joyce was born in Rathgar, one of the suburbs of Dublin and is considered to be one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
If you’ve ever read Ulysses, you may well understand referring to him as The Prick With a Stick.
Location: On North Earl Street just off O’Connell Street
Molly Malone Statue
Nicknames: The Tart With a Cart, The Dolly With a Trolley
Molly Malone’s statue sits on the corner of Grafton Street and Suffolk Street. The statue was commissioned as a tribute to a famous Irish song called “Cockles and Mussles” and it was erected in 1988.
The sculptor endowed Molly with an ample set of breasts spilling over her dress like a romance novel heroine, and this coupled with the speculation that the real Molly Malone was a prostitute earned the statue numerous nicknames along the lines of The Tart With a Cart and The Dolly with a Trolley.
Other great nicknames for this Dublin statue include: The Dish with the Fish, The Trollop with the Scallop, and The Flirt in the Skirt.
Location: The corner of Grafton Street and Suffolk Street
The Spire of Light
Nicknames: The Stiffy at the Liffey, The Erection at the Intersection
In the middle of O’Connell Street sits the Spire of Light. The world’s tallest piece of public art, the Dublin Spire stands 398 feet high, and it is located on the site of the former Nelson’s Pillar that was destroyed in 1966 by republican activists, which for years was referred to as The Stump.
Not as elegant as the designers may have wanted, Dubliners just see this huge erection as, well, an erection. Thus, the statue has earned the nicknames of The Stiffy at the Liffey and The Erection at the Intersection.
Other inventive nicknames for this Dublin statue include: The Stiletto in the Ghetto, The Spire in the Mire, The Rod to God, and The Pole in the Hole.
Location: In the middle of O’Connell Street
Oscar Wilde Statue
Nickname: The Queer with the Leer
One of London’s most popular playwrights in the 1890s, Oscar Wilde is actually Dublin’s to claim. His gaily colored and fabulously posed statue sits in Merrion Square outside of his childhood home.
The statue’s most popular tongue-in-cheek nickname, The Queer with the Leer, refers to Wilde’s imprisonment in London on accusations of homosexuality. Most Dubliners have a fondness for Wilde as well as the other statues around the city, and the statues’ raunchy nicknames stem from this fondness.
Other nicknames for this Dublin statue include The Fag on the Crag and The Quare in the Square.
Location: On the northwest corner of Merrion Square Park
Meeting Place Statue
Nickname: The Hags with the Bags
On Lower Liffey Street just across the Ha’penny Bridge, two women take a break from their shopping to chat. The Meeting Place statue reflects everyday city life in one of Dublin’s most popular shopping areas. Dubliners have nicknamed this statue The Hags with the Bags.
One of the bronze bags was even stolen shortly after the statue’s installation! The bags are now securely fastened to the ground, and the two women can continue on with their conversation.
Location: On Lower Liffey Street across from the Ha’penny Bridge
Talking Statues Dublin
Dublin’s statues now talk back! They know about their nicknames, and they’ve got something to say.
When walking around Dublin, you can now hear some of the city’s most famous statues talk by scanning a code on your phone. Learn more at Talking Statues Dublin.
Dublin Statues Map
To help you easily find these raunchily nicknamed statues in Dublin, I’ve created a map of all the statues listed in this post.
You can click the star icon at the top of the map to save it to your favorites and open the locations in your own Google Maps app.
Top Dublin Tours
With so much to see, Dublin can be overwhelming for any first-time traveler. To take some of the stress out of planning your visit, opt for a guided tour! Check out this list of the top Dublin tours to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful Irish city.
- Cliffs of Moher Tour Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin
- Northern Ireland Highlights Day Trip Including Giant’s Causeway from Dublin
- Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Sheep Dog Trials, Day Trip from Dublin
Where to Stay in Dublin
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Dublin, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.
- Top Hotel: The Merrion Hotel
- Great Value: Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre
- Unique Stay: Historic Cottage B&B by the Irish Sea
More Things to Do in Dublin
Explore all that Dublin has to offer! Check out these posts for more Dublin itineraries.
- 7 Free Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland
- Visiting Dublin Castle in Dublin, Ireland
- 6 Amazing Day Trips From Dublin, Ireland
Ready to visit Dublin, Ireland? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Dublin using Booking.com.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
- Save on Attractions: Save up to 55% on admission to Dublin’s top attractions with the Go City Dublin Pass.
Cheers!
Paige
What do you think of the nicknames for Dublin statues? Let me know in the comments!
I’d love to visit Dublin!
It’s a wonderful city, I definitely recommend it!