Select Image To Visit The Photo Gallery: Heart In Hand By Patrick O'Reilly

Photographed By William Murphy - Select Image To View Photographs

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WAS LOCATED ON SOUTH FREDERICK STREET

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Patrick O’Reilly’s heart-themed sculptures possess distinct "personalities" that emerge through their form and placement. While they share a central motif, their titles and deeper meanings shift depending on their physical expression.

Heart in Hand (South Frederick Street)

Photographed in September 2021, this highly reflective, polished bronze work features a human hand supporting a golden heart from beneath. It is a poignant representation of vulnerability and care, symbolising the act of protecting one’s emotions during a period of recovery.

Heartfelt (Burlington Road)

Now a permanent fixture, the vibrant red Heartfelt replaced the iconic Queen Maeve. This sculpture possesses a "sail-like" quality, defined by sweeping vertical lines. More abstract and aerodynamic than the Broken Heart series, it is designed to represent the "new heart" of the building and a sense of forward momentum.

Broken Heart (Kintsugi Series) These works appear shattered and mended with prominent gold seams. Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi—finding beauty in repaired imperfections—these pieces offer a narrative of resilience that differs from the smooth optimism of Heartfelt.

The Mystery of the Titles

In September 2021, O’Reilly launched "Public Works," a major city-wide sculpture trail in Dublin. Two sister pieces were positioned at the trail’s starting point on South Frederick Street. Based on the exhibition details, the piece captured in these photographs is almost certainly Heart in Hand.

Confusion often arises because the artist frequently iterates on these themes. For instance, while the Burlington Road sculpture is a permanent, smooth-surfaced installation, the temporary works for the 2021 trail focused specifically on the Kintsugi concept. Titles such as Hand on Heart or It Broke My Heart are typically reserved for smaller gallery editions or subtle variations in the heart's "pose."

The Transformation of Burlington Road: From Myth to Emotion

If you have walked past Connaught House on Dublin’s Burlington Road recently, you will have noticed a striking change in the skyline. For over two decades, the site was guarded by the formidable bronze figure of Queen Maeve. Recently, however, the warrior queen made way for a vibrant, soaring red heart, signalling a fresh chapter for the location.

Patrick O’Reilly is arguably Ireland’s most versatile contemporary sculptor, known for weaving deep philosophical narratives into monumental bronze. For years, his Queen Maeve—a naked warrior clutching a bull’s head and spear—stood as a visceral tribute to the raw power of the Táin.

The replacement of such a long-standing fixture is a significant moment for Dublin’s streetscape. Heartfelt trades the literalism of mythology for the power of modern symbolism. Its unique construction evokes the image of a boat’s sails filled with wind, suggesting movement, renewal, and a "new heart" for the urban environment.

A Legacy in Motion

O’Reilly’s work has always explored the "silent march" of existence. Whether it is his world-famous bronze teddy bears wandering through Paris or the shifting icons on a Dublin street corner, his art refuses to stay static. The transition from the grounded strength of Queen Maeve to the light, sail-like optimism of Heartfelt reflects an artist—and a city—that is constantly evolving.

The next time you pass Burlington Road, look up at those red "sails." It is a reminder that while our history is carved in bronze, our future is shaped by the heart.