Charles Stewart Parnell was a hero to the Irish people in the 1870s and 80s when through political non-violent means he forced the British Government to introduce land reform and almost achieved Home Rule for Ireland. Then his liaison with a married woman and his subsequent marriage to her lost him the support of the then powerful Catholic Church and the majority of people and he fell from grace. Upon his death in 1891 there was forgiveness for him and a realisation of his prodigious work for Ireland and over 200,000 people followed his funeral to Glasnevin Cemetery. Such was the re-birth of his popularity that tens of thousands of pounds were collected by public subscription towards a suitable monument in his memory. The resultant memorial, unveiled in 1911, stands proudly at the top of O'Connell Street. The sculptor was Augustus Saint-Gaudens.