The original Cenotaph on Leinster Lawn was unveiled by WT Cosgrave on11 August 1923 to commemorate the first anniversary of the deaths of Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith.

It comprised of a central cross and two large pylons, to which medallions, in plaster, of Griffith and Collins were affixed.

George Atkinson designed the cenotaph and the medallions were by Albert Power.

The erection was of timber framing covered with expanded metal lathing and cement.

Annual ceremonies were held there for a brief period.

After the assassination of Kevin O’Higgins a commemorative medallion of him was added in 1928.

The wooden structure gradually deteriorated but the cost of rebuilding it was felt to be prohibitive.

When Fianna Fáil came to power in 1932 the Cenotaph

was ignored for a time.

In 1939 Eamon deValera and Sean Moylan met with Desmond Fitzgerald and Michael Hayes of Fine Gael.

They agreed that the Cenotaph should be dismantled and the three medallions stored.

It was also agreed to instruct the Office of Public Works to “design a permanent memorial including a cross”.

The war years intervened and nothing happened.

Towards the end of the war, a Fine Gael TD. PS Doyle raised the matter in the Dáil.
Doyle found his greatest ally in John A Costello. They were told that a design was considered but that it would not be possible to proceed with the erection until “the end of the present emergency”.

Costello put another question in May 1947. The reply stated that the matter was “under consideration”.

Costello was annoyed and asked, “Is that the only information that can be vouch faced after the lapse of so many years. Could the Parliamentary Secretary say what active consideration means?”

In October PS Doyle was told that some doubts had arisen about the entire suitability of the design and location and an alternative design was being prepared.

He said that the memorial would be erected as soon as a suitable design had been approved

Costello himself became Taoiseach of the new coalition government in February 1948.

PS Doyle asked him in a Parliamentary Question, when the Memorial would be erected on Leinster Lawn.

Costello had taken a direct interest in the matter said that the design would be ready in a few weeks. It was formally agreed on 26 July 1949. Costello said the monument would be “worthy of the purpose for which it is to be used”. It would cost £20,000 and consisted of a 60 foot granite obelisk, capped by a gilt bronze flame (Claidheamh Solais) which would stand on a circular sloping base, adorned with four bronze wreaths that framed the medallions of Griffith, Collins and O’Higgins.

The inscriptions would read: DO CHUN GLOIRE DE AGUS ONORA NA h-EIREANN; MICHEAL O COILEAIN 1890-1922, ART O GRIOBHTA 1871-1922, CAOIMHGHIN O h-UIGIN 1892- 1927.

Some Fianna Fáil TD’s challenged Costello on his urgency in completing the Cenotaph. He replied that the design was according to what the previous government had stipulated He outlined how the plan to erect the Cenotaph had already been agreed to by several Fianna Fáil governments.

He said that the Taoiseach, Mr deValera, acting perfectly correctly and with great courtesy, submitted the design for the new Cenotaph to the Fine Gael Party. Costello said that he had seen it with General Mulcahy on 7 July 1940 and had then written to the Taoiseach;:

“ A Chara,

I have examined the plans for the cenotaph memorial on Leinster Lawn left with me on Wednesday last, 2nd July. They have been seen by some of my colleagues. We approve of the plan bearing date 1/5/’40”.

Costello continued by stating that on 16 September

1947 the Government directed the Minister for Finance to prepare new sketch plans for a column or obelisk, including a cross and portrait plaques of Griffith, Collins and O’Higgins.

It also directed that when Government approved the new design, it should be discussed with Fine Gael, who should be informed of the government’s intention to erect the monument on Leinster Lawn.

The Government later decided not to proceed with the earlier design by Mr. Leask. It asked Raymond McGrath of the OPW to prepare a new design. He submitted the new plans, but at that stage the Coalition Government was in power.

The Cenotaph on Leinster Lawn, which was completed in October 1950, deserves better than to be the centre of a car park, closed off to public access, and not even on the itinerary of the official tour of Dáil Éireann.