As you’ve been gadding about Dublin, you might have noticed that the city is blanketed with statues and sculptures.
They’re not just there to make the place look pretty. They’re all about celebrating the city’s history, culture, and identity.
After Ireland fought for independence, statues popped up to honor key figures, from political leaders to writers, as a way of showing national pride.
But the Irish love to poke fun—both at themselves and others. It’s a big part of the culture. And it’s often done in a lighthearted, self-deprecating way.
So, it’s not surprising that, from the beginning, Dubliners decided to slang the crap out of the statues by giving them amusing or smutty nicknames. Often, a monument is given four or five sobriquets.
The practice began when a public sculpture, Anna Livia, was unveiled on O’Connell Street to celebrate the Dublin Millennium in 1988. After that, there was no stopping them.
Here are the nicknames of the statues you’ll see on a walk about Dublin.
Nicknames & Sobriquets For Dublin’s Statues
Anna Livia
As I mentioned, it all began with Anna Livia. Anna was a character in James Joyce’s novel Finnegan’s Wake.
The public sculpture was unveiled on O’Connell Street in 1988. The work was intended to personify the River Liffey. It featured a woman lying in quietly bubbling water.
Within weeks, Dubliners nicknamed Anna “The Floozie in the Jacuzzi” (floozie being a moniker for a hooker.)
Not long after, she received a second nickname — “The Hoor in the Sewer.” Eventually, poor old Floozie was relocated from O’Connell Street to the Collin Barracks on the Liffey.
The Dublin Spire
Anna Livia’s spot on O’Connell Street was taken by the Spire of Dublin.
lts official called the Monument of Light. This towering, needle-shaped sculpture claims the title of the tallest of its kind in the world. It’s become one of Dublin’s iconic landmarks.
Intended to represent a city that’s modern and forward-thinking, its sleek design makes it hard to miss.
During the day, it reflects the sunlight. At night, the LED lights near the top give it a soft, glowing radiance, making it an impressive sight after dark.
In a blink, the Spire received a slew of nicknames. It was re-christened “The Stiletto in the Ghetto,” “The Stiffy in the Liffey,” “The Nail in the Pale,” “The Rod to the God,” and “The Erection at the Intersection.” The last one is the most popular.
Meeting Place
The Hags with the Bags is an amusing nickname for a group statue called The Meeting Place.
Created by John Behan in 2000, the statue depicts two dear old women with large shopping bags at their feet. It was intended to celebrate the ordinary woman.
“Hags with the Bags” is a bit cheeky, but the name stuck. It’s a perfect example of how Dubliners like to put their own spin on things and make them more relatable.
You’ll find the Dublin sculpture on Lower Liffey Street right across from the Ha’Penny Bridge.
James Joyce
Then, there’s the James Joyce statue. It stands on North Earl Street, near O’Connell Street. It was created by Danny Osborne in 1990.
This statue shows Joyce in his signature pose with a bowler hat. He’s walking with stick in hand and thoughtful look on his face.
What did the Dubliners come up with for a nickname? “The Prick with the Stick.”
The nickname apparently comes from a combination of the statue’s posture and the somewhat stiff, unflattering way Joyce is depicted. The figure has a somewhat haughty and distant expression, suggesting an intense, less than friendly attitude.
You’ll no doubt find many Joyce fans stopping for a quick photo.
Molly Malone
In the Dublin nicknaming stakes, the champion of champions has to be Molly Malone. She’s a well-loved symbol of Dublin.
Her song “Mussels and Cockles” is the unofficial Dublin anthem. Her bronze monument near Grafton Street gives you a fine view of Molly’s cleavage.
According to the song, Molly died of a fever. But she might have died of embarrassment if she knew what the Dubliners had in store for her.
She’s been called “The Tart with the Cart,” “The Dolly with the Trolley,” The Dish with the Fish,” “The Flirt in the Skirt,” and the “Trollop with the Scallops.
Tourists love to pose for a photo with her and her boobs, which you can see are well-loved.
Oscar Wilde
Next, there’s a colorful and witty statue of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square Park, created by Danny Osborne. It shows the playwright lounging on a rock, gazing thoughtfully (or maybe scornfully?) at passersby.
The sculpture is framed by two smaller pillars, each engraved with quotes from Wilde’s works.
Wilde is sprawled out on a large boulder, lounging in a vibrant, fancy suit. His expression is a curious mix of smile and a grimace.
Wilde was openly gay—or at least sexually ambiguous. He was famously prosecuted and imprisoned for “gross indecency” in 1895, due to his romantic relationships with young men.
It didn’t take long for Dubliners to give the Wilde statue some cheeky nicknames: “The Fag on the Crag,” “The Queer with the Leer,” and “The Quare in the Square.”
Patrick Kavanaugh
Patrick Kavanagh was one of Dublin’s most beloved poets. He’s known for his raw, honest writing and deep connection to the Irish landscape.
Unlike some of his more famous contemporaries, he didn’t fit the typical “romantic poet” mold. His work was often blunt, gritty, and unafraid to tackle the harsh realities of life.
Kavanagh himself was a bit of a character. He was famous for his sharp wit, brutal honesty, and sometimes cantankerous nature. He had the reputation as something of a curmudgeon.
It’s no surprise, then, that his statue on Baggot Street earned a couple of cheeky nicknames over the years, including “The Crank on the Bank” and “The Banal at the Canal.”
Sphere Within A Sphere
The Sphere within a Sphere at Trinity College is this big, shiny metal ball that looks like it’s been sliced open to reveal a smaller ball inside. It was created by the Italian sculptor called Arnaldo Pomodoro.
It’s kind of a head-scratcher in terms of meaning. Some say it’s about the relationship between the outside world and what’s inside, or maybe change and transformation.
But, despite all its deep symbolism, Dubliners have come up with some pretty funny nicknames for it.
Some call it “The Ball Bearing” because it looks a bit like one of those industrial metal balls. Others joke that it’s “The Giant Metallic Orange” because of the shape and shine. There’s even “The Golden Globe,” like it’s an award show prop.
And of course, the “Death Star” nickname gets thrown around because, well, it kinda looks like something from Star Wars.
Philip Lynottt
On Grafton Street, you’ll find the life size statue of rock legend Philip Lynott. He was an Irish singer and songwriter who was the frontman for the band Thin Lizzy.
It was erected in 2005 to celebrate his legacy in the city’s music scene.
Known for its lifelike design, the statue shows Lynott in his signature rock pose, with guitar in hand.
Over time, it’s earned a few cheeky nicknames from Dubliners. Among them, “The Rocker on the Road,” “The Metalhead,” and “The Ace with the Bass.” have popped up.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Dublin’s statues and their colorful nicknames. You may find these other Dublin travel guides useful:
- Dublin bucket list
- 1 day in Dublin itinerary
- 2 days in Dublin itinerary
- 3 days in Dublin itinerary
- what to do in North Dublin
- guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- guide to Trinity College & Book of Kells
- guide to the Guinness Storehouse
- guide to the National Museum of Ireland
Pin it for later.
