Nelson's Pillar was a large granite column capped by a statue of Horatio Nelson, built in front of the General Post Office on O'Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland. It was designed by the Irish architect Francis Johnston and completed in 1809. It was a hallmark of Dublin which locals and tourist could ascend and tour the platform at the top (not unlike the Eifel Tour). However, it suffered a terrorist attack in 1966 after being bombed by far-right dissident nationalists.

Nelson was a flag officer of the Royal Navy at a time when it was estimated approximately 30% of the Royal Navy were Irish. In this period, Arthur Wellesley (who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo and is the only ever Irish-born Prime Minister of the UK) also worked with Daniel O‘Connell to achieve Catholic Emancipation. How fitting it would be for the street today that bears O‘Connell‘s name and his statue that the two giants of their era could stand harmoniously next to one another, in unison, representing opposition to tyranny and progress towards the achievement of Catholic Emancipation. Furthermore, it shows what can be achieved when the British and Irish work together with respect for our differences and regard for our common values and long sometimes strained, but shared history. Today, Ireland and the UK as neighbours are staunch advocates for human rights, and an clear example of peoples overcoming differences and learning to live and work prosperously together.