“Eblana dedicavit MCMVII.” Did you ever stop to consider what that means? You are now standing before the Rustic Arches, a monument steeped in history. It’s more than just an archway. It is a portal to Dublin’s past. The Rustic Arches, also known as the Fusiliers’ Arch, marks the Grafton Street entrance to St Stephen’s Green.
This arch commemorates the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. They fought and died in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902. Imagine the Dublin of 1907. A city on the cusp of change. A nation grappling with its identity. The arch’s construction coincided with rising nationalism in Ireland. Some even called it “Traitor’s Gate”.
The Rustic Arches somehow survived all those turbulent years. It stands as one of Dublin’s few colonial-era monuments that wasn’t blown up after Ireland gained independence. Take a closer look at the architecture of the Rustic Arches. John Howard Pentland designed it. Henry Laverty and Sons built it. Thomas Drew also consulted on the design.
The Rustic Arches proportions are said to be modeled after Rome’s Arch of Titus. The structure is about 8.5 meters wide. It stands approximately 10 meters high. Notice the granite structure with limestone inscriptions. Observe the bronze adornment on the front of the arch.
The western face bears the Latin inscription “Fortissimis suis militibus hoc monumentum Eblana dedicavit MCMVII”. It translates to “To its strongest soldiers, Dublin dedicates this monument, 1907”. “Eblana” is an ancient name for Dublin. It appeared on Ptolemy’s 2nd-century AD map of Ireland.
Beneath the arch, the names of 222 fallen soldiers are inscribed. Six battlefields are also listed. Talana, Ladysmith, Colenso, Tugela Heights, Hartshill and Laings Nek. Each name represents sacrifice. Each name represents bravery.
Consider the arch’s dual purpose. It is a war memorial. It is also the principal entrance to St Stephen’s Green. The Rustic Arches is built of Wicklow granite with Sheephouse limestone panels. Doric pilasters support a dentillated cornice. Recessed plaques bear inscriptions.
The north plaque reads “Fortissimis suis militibus hoc momentum Eblana dedicavit MCMVII”. The south plaque reads “In memory of the officers, non-commissioner officers and men of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who fell in the South African War AD1899-1900”. The archway has a deep round-headed entrance. It features moulded imposts and an archivolt with keystones. A bronze cartouche bearing the crest and arms of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers crowns the keystone on the north side. Laurel leaves surround it. Dentillated friezes flank the cartouche. They are inscribed with “Talana/Colenso” on the north and “Hartshill/Ladysmith” on the south. Paterae dot the friezes.
Double-leaf cast-iron gates once stood within the arch. These gates were rumored to be cast from guns captured in battle. Square-plan granite piers with fluted friezes and corniced caps flank the gates. Matching railings extend further. The Duke of Connaught, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, opened the memorial on August 19, 1907.
As you pass through the Rustic Arches, remember its story. Remember the soldiers. Remember Dublin’s complex past. The Rustic Arches stands not just as a monument but as a testament to history. A silent observer of Dublin’s ever-changing story.