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“The O'Connell Monument was unveiled to the public on 15 August 1882, on the centenary of the Volunteer Movement and the occasion of the Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition in the Rotunda Gardens. On the same occasion the newly-widened Carlisle Bridge was renamed O'Connell Bridge in honour of its main focal point”

www.buildingsofireland.ie

The winged figures below the frieze, added later in 1883, represent Patriotism (holding a sword and shield), Fidelity (with an Irish Wolfhound), Eloquence (holding a book) and Justice (with a serpent).

The Key Symbolic Entities of the frieze
The Maid of Erin (Ireland): Positioned front and center facing south, this allegorical female figure represents the nation. She is depicted trampling on broken shackles to symbolize national liberty. With one hand, she points up to O'Connell as her liberator; in her other hand, she holds the physical document of the 1829 Act of Catholic Emancipation.
The Catholic Church: Represented by a bishop holding a crosier alongside members of the clergy. This acknowledges the foundational support of the Church in O'Connell's historic mobilization of the rural Catholic population.
The Professions and Civic Leaders: This group includes figures such as a bewigged lawyer, doctors, and civic leaders. This underscores O'Connell's own professional background as an elite barrister and his election as the first Catholic Lord Mayor of Dublin.
The Arts and Sciences: Symbolized by poets, historians, and scholars, demonstrating how the national cultural revival was intimately tied to his political campaigns.
The Trades and Industry: Portrayed by physical laborers, urban craftsmen, and merchants. They represent the emerging urban working class that powered the civic life of the capital.
The Peasantry: Depicted as rural agricultural workers carrying farm tools (such as hoes or scythes). This symbolizes the masses from provincial Ireland who formed the backbone of the "Catholic Association" and the monster political rallies.

Read All Abou It !
Via Trove, an extremely wordy description of the events - trove.nla.gov.au

A relevant excerpt (page 6, col. 1)
"... When the monument was reached, at a quarter to one o'clock precisely, the Lord Mayor proceeded to perform the formal ceremony of unveiling the statue. His lordship drew the cord, and revealed to the people the magnificent proportions of Foley's masterpiece. At this moment a bright gleam of sunshine burst forth and fell upon the noble figure. Cheer after cheer was raised, and loud expressions of admiration were heard on all sides ..."

15 August 1882 was a Tuesday ...

Wide epaulettes reflect the national economy. The wider the collar, the better off we are financially

In the early 20th century Drapery apprentices worked under the living in system, see 1911 census www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Limerick/Limeri...

Great to get these all details and help with getting closer to a date for this photograph. Thank you!

Now O'Connell Street, the building in the foreground is where Roches Stores was until recently . The building with the clock is where Penney's now stands

elainsor Thanks a mill! Have added your information to the description under the photo...

elainsor Roches Stores is now Debenhams