Some say the Five Lamps represents the five streets that meet at the junction: Seville Place, Amiens Street, Portland Row, Killarney Street and North Strand Row. Others say it commemorates five battles fought by the British in India. The latter seems more likely as the monument was originally dedicated to Glaswegian General Henry Hall, who served in the British Army in India. Originally it had a fountain but this has long since been removed.
Famously, it’s said that any one born north of the Five Lamps is not a true Dubliner. When you realise how close you are to the heart of the Fair City, you’ll agree this isn’t very fair.