The testimonial is situated at the southeast end of the Park, overlooking Kilmainham and the River Liffey.

[4] The obelisk was designed by the architect Sir Robert Smirke and the foundation stone was laid in 1817.

[5]: 18:40  A shortage of funds eventually delayed the production of the intended statue, leaving the pedestal looking unfinished[5]: 18:50  for some decades[6] until Wellington's death in 1852 which provoked a renewed urgency to complete the monument so that it wouldn't "look like an insult", according to Professor Paula Murphy at UCD.

There are four bronze plaques cast from cannons captured at Waterloo – three of which have pictorial representations of his career while the fourth has an inscription.

[1] The plaques depict 'Civil and Religious Liberty' by John Hogan, 'Waterloo' by Thomas Farrell and the 'Indian Wars' by Joseph Robinson Kirk.