[7] After O'Connell's death in May 1847, it was considered prudent to create a monument befitting of the man's legacy, and, if completed by 1875, could also celebrate the centenary of his birth.

[8] On 8 August 1864, having already collected £8,362, the first stage of the monument's construction was achieved by the installation of a two-ton Dalkey granite foundation stone by Lord Mayor of Dublin Peter Paul McSwiney (a distant relative of O'Connell's).

The unveiling had failed to achieve its 1875 target, but did coincide with the centenary of the Volunteer Movement, and the occasion of the Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition which was taking place that same time in Dublin at the Rotunda Gardens (modern day Parnell Square).

[2] In the frieze of characters below O'Connell, Erin (the female personification of Ireland) is seen facing the River Liffey holding the Act of Emancipation of 1829 in her left hand.

[3] As part of the Troubles, at about 4am[11] on 26 December 1969,[2][12] the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) bombed the base of the monument, shattering the statue that represents the 'Winged Victory of Courage' into four pieces.

[14][15][16] Police stopped cars on all main roads following the explosion, and a special check made on all vehicles heading for the Northern Ireland border in an attempt to apprehend those responsible.

[8] According to Professor Paula Murphy of UCD, sculptor Thomas Farrell may have been directly influenced by the presentation of Foley's composition for his own 1882 statue of Cardinal Cullen at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin.