Colleen M. Thomas is an art historian with expertise in the monumental sculpture of early medieval Ireland and Britain. Paula Murphy, Emeritus Professor in the School of Art History and Cultural Policy at University College Dublin, is a sculpture historian.

'This insightful collection of research reflects on the importance of rethinking monuments for contemporary society. Stitching the past into the present, the writers draw timely attention to the variety of cultural heritage in shared public spaces. Exploring the complexities of the fabric of Ireland’s monuments, this book offers a series of connections between Ireland’s past, current international heritage practices and the makers of future monuments.'Niamh Ann Kelly, Head of Art and Visual Culture, Technological University Dublin

• PrefacePaula MurphyIntroductionColleen M. ThomasNew states and old statues: Ireland’s monuments in an international contextKathleen James-ChakrabortyIdolatry, ignominy, and iconoclasm: Irish public monuments 1540–1700Rachel MossFamine monuments and famine memoriesCormac Ó GrádaCeltic Crosses: indigenous monuments in complex landscapesColleen M. ThomasMaking the contemporary ‘human story’ of our monuments and their replicas matterSally FosterCommunity Monuments Fund: The matter of investing in monumentsPauline GleesonThe pedestal – occupied and emptyPaula MurphyThe decommissioning of monuments and their afterlifeRuairí Ó CuívIn conversation with contemporary artistsDavid ArchboldCommissioning and creating public sculpture: conversations with contemporary artists

Colleen M. Thomas is an art historian with expertise in the monumental sculpture of early medieval Ireland and Britain. Paula Murphy, Emeritus Professor in the School of Art History and Cultural Policy at University College Dublin, is a sculpture historian.

'This insightful collection of research reflects on the importance of rethinking monuments for contemporary society. Stitching the past into the present, the writers draw timely attention to the variety of cultural heritage in shared public spaces. Exploring the complexities of the fabric of Ireland’s monuments, this book offers a series of connections between Ireland’s past, current international heritage practices and the makers of future monuments.'Niamh Ann Kelly, Head of Art and Visual Culture, Technological University Dublin

• PrefacePaula MurphyIntroductionColleen M. ThomasNew states and old statues: Ireland’s monuments in an international contextKathleen James-ChakrabortyIdolatry, ignominy, and iconoclasm: Irish public monuments 1540–1700Rachel MossFamine monuments and famine memoriesCormac Ó GrádaCeltic Crosses: indigenous monuments in complex landscapesColleen M. ThomasMaking the contemporary ‘human story’ of our monuments and their replicas matterSally FosterCommunity Monuments Fund: The matter of investing in monumentsPauline GleesonThe pedestal – occupied and emptyPaula MurphyThe decommissioning of monuments and their afterlifeRuairí Ó CuívIn conversation with contemporary artistsDavid ArchboldCommissioning and creating public sculpture: conversations with contemporary artists

Colleen M. Thomas is an art historian with expertise in the monumental sculpture of early medieval Ireland and Britain. Paula Murphy, Emeritus Professor in the School of Art History and Cultural Policy at University College Dublin, is a sculpture historian.

'This insightful collection of research reflects on the importance of rethinking monuments for contemporary society. Stitching the past into the present, the writers draw timely attention to the variety of cultural heritage in shared public spaces. Exploring the complexities of the fabric of Ireland’s monuments, this book offers a series of connections between Ireland’s past, current international heritage practices and the makers of future monuments.'Niamh Ann Kelly, Head of Art and Visual Culture, Technological University Dublin

• PrefacePaula MurphyIntroductionColleen M. ThomasNew states and old statues: Ireland’s monuments in an international contextKathleen James-ChakrabortyIdolatry, ignominy, and iconoclasm: Irish public monuments 1540–1700Rachel MossFamine monuments and famine memoriesCormac Ó GrádaCeltic Crosses: indigenous monuments in complex landscapesColleen M. ThomasMaking the contemporary ‘human story’ of our monuments and their replicas matterSally FosterCommunity Monuments Fund: The matter of investing in monumentsPauline GleesonThe pedestal – occupied and emptyPaula MurphyThe decommissioning of monuments and their afterlifeRuairí Ó CuívIn conversation with contemporary artistsDavid ArchboldCommissioning and creating public sculpture: conversations with contemporary artists