Madam, - Jenny Fitzpatrick (February 5th) objects to the restoration of the obelisk on the highest point in Killiney Hill Park. The parks department of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is carrying out this restoration and the project is almost finished.
Ms Fitzpatrick's objection is that the obelisk was constructed to commemorate a visit to Ireland by Queen Victoria and that it might be better to let it "crumble to the ground and let it become part of the distant past". However, she seems to be confusing the obelisk with the naming of the original public park commemorating Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887.
The obelisk was in fact built in 1742 as a famine relief measure, as can be read from the inscription: "Last year being hard with the poor. . . this was erected by John Mapas, Esq, June 1742". While it could be argued that owners such as Mapas took advantage of the prevailing conditions to adorn his land, his action may also be interpreted as providing much needed employment in an era of laissez-faire economics.
Today the obelisk, a very early example of its type, is a landmark structure on the skyline of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. It provides a view of Killiney Bay, Dun Laoghaire harbour and Dublin Bay that is unrivalled in the greater Dublin area. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council believes that this very important structure needs to be properly repaired and conserved for the enjoyment of future generations. - Yours, etc,
TIM CAREY,
Heritage Officer,
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
County Council.