Rutland Obelisk Obelisk sundial

Had they always been there, those silent witnesses to time? I’m talking about the sundials on the Rutland Obelisk. This obelisk, a striking stone sentinel on James’s Street, isn’t just a monument. It’s a timepiece, a testament to a forgotten era, a story waiting to be told. The Rutland Obelisk, commissioned in 1790 by the Duke of Rutland himself, was designed by the architect Francis Sandys. This wasn’t just an aesthetic pursuit. The Duke envisioned a functional piece of art, an obelisk with not one, not two, but four sundials, each precisely aligned to capture the sun’s dance across the sky. At its base, a drinking fountain offered refreshment to passersby. A practical gesture in a time long before readily available water. Sadly, the fountain is now dry. But, the obelisk continues to stand tall. Restored in 1995 by Dublin City Council, with the generous assistance of Guinness Ireland and the Ireland Fund of Canada, the sundials were carefully realigned. Imagine the countless shadows they have cast, marking the hours, days, and years. Although the water no longer flows, the Rutland Obelisk remains a captivating landmark. A quiet reminder of a time when art and functionality intertwined.