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Dublin Sundial




The Dun Laoghaire East Pier sundial was commissioned by the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company as a feature of artistic and scientific interest for all who use the amenities of the Harbour, and to mark the successful restoration of the East Pier in 2006

Solar Calculations: Captain Owen M Deignan
Architectural Consultants: Shaffrey Associates
Graphic Design: Brian O'Connor
Bronze Castings: CAST Ltd
Masonry Work: Bobby Blount

This Analemmatic or human sundial differs from ordinary sundials in three respects:
  • It is elliptic in shape, rather than circular
  • It has hour points, as distinct from hour lines, to indicate the time of day
  • It does not have a fixed metal or masonry gnomon for the purpose of casting the all important shadow. This is carried out by the observer, who stands erect with his/her feet astride the centre line of the Calendar scale, on the appropriate date of the month, and reads the time as indicated by the direction of his/her shadow

Sundial time can be converted to Irish Standard Time (watch time) by following the instructions given on the adjoining bronze plates.
  • The Equation of Time, which compensates for the irregular speed of the earth around the Sun will have to be added to, or subtracted from Sundial Time. This is laid out in graph form and its value is in minutes .
  • The Difference in Longitude between Greenwich and Dun Laoghaire, which is equivalent to 25 minutes in time is added to the Sundial Time
  • The addition of one hour when Summer Time is in force


Dún Laoghaire is a town on the coast about 11km south of Dublin City.

Lat 53° 18' North  Long 6° 8' West

Irish Grid     O   324500    229340


If you know the location of a sundial in Ireland (NOT a mass produced DIY Store garden ornament) please email it to me (Click here to email M.J.Harley) - a member of British Sundial Society
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