Fusiliers' Arch facts for kids
| Áirse na bhFiúsailéirí | |
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| Coordinates | 53°20′23″N 6°15′38″W / 53.33965°N 6.26052°W |
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| Location | Northwest corner of St Stephen's Green, Dublin |
| Designer | John Howard Pentland, Thomas Drew |
| Type | triumphal arch |
| Material | granite, limestone, bronze |
| Height | 9.9 metres (32 ft) |
| Completion date | 1907 |
| Dedicated to | Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died in the Second Boer War |
The Fusiliers' Arch is a special monument in Dublin, Ireland. It stands at the entrance to St Stephen's Green park, near Grafton Street. This arch was built in 1907. It was made to remember the brave soldiers from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. These were officers and other soldiers who fought and died in the Second Boer War. This war happened between 1899 and 1902.
Building the Arch
People donated money to build the Fusiliers' Arch. John Howard Pentland designed it. Henry Laverty and Sons were the builders. Another architect, Thomas Drew, also helped with the plans.
The arch looks a bit like the famous Arch of Titus in Rome. It is about 8.5 m (28 ft) wide and 10 m (33 ft) high. The opening you can walk through is about 5.6 meters high and 3.7 meters wide.
The main part of the arch is made from strong granite stone. The words carved on it are in limestone. There is also a bronze decoration on the front of the arch.
Messages on the Arch
On the western side of the arch, there is a message written in Latin. It says: Fortissimis suis militibus hoc monumentum Eblana dedicavit MCMVII. This means, "To its strongest soldiers, Dublin dedicates this monument, 1907."
Eblana is an old name that was once used for Dublin. It appeared on an ancient map from the 2nd century AD.
The arch also lists six important battlefields. These are places where the Royal Dublin Fusiliers fought during the Second Boer War:
- Talana: This refers to the Battle of Talana Hill, which happened on October 20, 1899.
- Ladysmith: This is about the Battle of Ladysmith, on October 30, 1899.
- Colenso: This marks the Battle of Colenso, on December 15, 1899.
- Tugela Heights: This remembers the Battle of the Tugela Heights, from February 14 to 27, 1900.
- Hartshill: This refers to Hart's Hill, a battle on February 23, 1900. It was part of the effort to help the town of Ladysmith.
- Laings Nek: This was a place of intense fighting from June 2 to 9, 1900.
