Rutland Fountain National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks

Freestanding water fountain, dated 1785, comprising rusticated granite central block with lower flanking blocks, circular-profile calp limestone wall to rear (north) elevation. Later in use as urinal. Granite parapet and cornice to top. Cut granite wall to front (south) elevation, coursed calp limestone to east and west elevations and rear, cut granite block-and-start quoins, cut granite plinth course. Inscribed plaque to front reading :'CHARLES DUKE OF RUTLAND/LORD LIEUTENANT 1785'. Carved Portland stone plaques to front with paterae. Segmental-arched central niche having dressed voussoirs, carved granite cornice at impost level, continuing to form capping to side-blocks. Decorative volutes over capping to flanking blocks.

Moved to its present location in 1889, this water fountain was presented by the Duke of Rutland to provide a clean source of drinking water to the people of Dublin, and placed at Barrack Street in 1785. A more elaborate fountain sponsored by Rutland was erected in Merrion Square in 1791. In its current location, it has been employed as a soldiers' urinal. Although essentially a functional object, it is well-composed with a sense of symmetry and high quality stone-work enhanced by carved cornices, inscribed plaque and Portland stone insert panels, which enhance the artistic design quality of the composition. An attractive focal point in the grounds of Collins Barracks, this is also of social and technical interest, having been put in place to meet the sanitary and health requirements of the people of Dublin.