The Three Fates: St. Stephen’s Green

The Three Fates St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin

Paul O’Brien

< The Three Fates monument, St. Stephen’s Green St. Stephen’s Green has many Objets d’Art located throughout its grounds. While some of these are well known, there are others that, though they are seen daily, are an enigma to many. The German memorial, also known as the Three Fates located near the southeastern entrance of the park, is one such monument. In recognition of Ireland’s assistance to the German people in the aftermath of World War II, the German Federal Republic established a legation to this country. This delegation sent a letter in July 1954 requesting to know of a suitable gift to be presented to the people of Ireland on their behalf, in recognition of the assistance they received from the Irish people. Mr. Raymond McGrath, Office of Public Works city architect, put forward the suggestion of a fountain. After a meeting in September 1954 with the German legation, The Arts Council, The Board of Works and the Cultural Relations Committee, the idea was considered and was then duly accepted. The commission was granted to the prominent German sculptor, Professor Josef Wackerle. He had started his career as a woodcarver and attended the Munich Academy of Art. After studying in Florence, Milan and Rome he won the sculpture prize ‘Prix de Rome’ in 1904. He later became the director of the Nymphenburg porcelain factory and also lectured in the Berlin Art Museum and the Munich Academy of Art.1 During the period of the Third Reich he was a leading figure in the Greater German Art Exhibitions.2 The subject matter of the fountain was to be the Norenbrunnen who portray the Fates of Nordic mythology. It comprises of three female figures, one seated, one standing behind and the third behind yet again. They are in the process of spinning one’s destiny. One figure spins, the second allots the yarn, and the third cuts it to length. This motif was chosen because Professor Wackerle thought it fitting for ‘the land of the rainbow’, Ireland with its traditions stretching back to antiquity.

< The Lodge and the Three Fates Fountain, St. Stephen’s Green

< View from the bandstand In Celtic mythology the Morrígan is similar. She was a tripartite battle goddess of the Celts of Ancient Ireland. She was known as the Morrígan, but the different sections she was divided into were also referred to as Nemain, Macha, and Badb (among other, less common names), with each representing different aspects of combat. She is most commonly known for her involvement in the Táin Bó Cúailnge. The fountain figures were to be cast in bronze, which would reflect the light. They are based on a limestone foundation stone from beneath which springs forth gushing water in to a stone basin that is capped by stone plates. From four sites that were proposed, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin was chosen because of its ready supply of water.3 Professor Wackerle visited the site and agreed its suitability. He began work in his Atelier in Garmisch, Partenkirchen near Munich, which was a bombed chapel. Having made the first studies in clay he became convinced that it would be more suitable to place the work some feet away in the direction of the gate, visible from all sides, without over shadowing trees. Though the patina of the bronze would change, the natural light would always illuminate the work. An intricate pump system was also chosen in order to pump 18,000 gallons of water per hour. By April 25th 1955 all the final castings were completed and it was planned to unveil the fountain on the 19th July, the 10th anniversary of the date the Dail voted for financial assistance to Germany. However, due to delays over contracting the fitting, it was to be unveiled on the 28th January 1956. On this date the area surrounding the work was cordoned off. Invited guests and a military guard of honor were positioned within the gates. The army band was also present as the Irish national flag was hoisted beside that of the German Federal Republic. The German minister Dr. Hermann Katzenberger presented the fountain to Liam Cosgrove Minister for External Affairs. Though the monument was received well by the general public, it did cause controversy. A proposal for a fountain to the painter Jack B Yeats was shelved because there were already two fountains in the park, with a third being installed.4 Today, the park, fringed by trees along its perimeter, shuts out the hustle and bustle of a busy European capital. The Three Fates fountain links not only the park and the city of Dublin, but the people of Ireland with its fellow European country in that of Germany, and is a lasting testament in bronze to humanity in the aftermath of a war that devastated the world.

Bibliography Office of Public Works files p4/84 na 2015, 796/4/79/52, 96/4/84/55, a97/60.1.52 Sunday Press January 22nd 1956 Irish Times 30th January 1956 Irish Independent 30th January 1956 Irish Independent 2nd February 1956 Liddey P., Dublin Be Proud, Chadworth Ltd, Dublin, 1988 Rosenthal, J., Adolf Hitler, pictures from the life of the Fuhrer 1931 - 35, Peebles press, London, 1978

Footnotes

1. Sunday Press January 22 1956 2. Rosenthal, J. Adolf Hitler, Life of the Fuhrer 1931 - 1935, London, 1978 3. OPW A97/60.1.52 4. OPW 796/4/79/52