The Spire grows by 17m to dwarf shoppers

THE Spire of Dublin — better known as The Spike — was rising higher yesterday as work continued on the gleaming monument which will soon dominate the skyline of the Irish capital.

When completed, the conical structure will soar 120 metres (393ft) above O'Connell Street, dwarfing the GPO building.

The first part of the Spire was moved into position late last week and the latest 17-metre (55ft) section was being hauled into place as Dubliners rounded off their Christmas shopping.

The Spike's third component one of six will be stored on site after Christmas.

Engineers aim to finish the structure by mid-January when it will be seven times higher than the GPO.

The shining metal conical spike, initially commissioned to mark the Millennium, will be three metres in diameter at its base, with its tip just 15cm across.

A powerful internal light will illuminate the perforated 12-metre (39ft) section near the stop, which will taper off to a tip of optical glass.

It is designed to sway gently in high winds, to a maximum of 2.5m.

The design came from London architect Ian Ritchie, whose "Monument of Light" submission was selected from more than 200 entries in an international competition.

It is sited close to the O'Connell Street spot where Nelson's Pillar stood for more than a century to commemorate the British victor at Trafalgar, before being blown up by the IRA in 1966.