Irish Volunteer Monument

The Irish Volunteer Monument (also called the Irish Brigade Monument) commemorates approximately 300 Irish nationalists who fought alongside the Boers against British forces during the South African War (1899-1902). Originally unveiled in 1975 in Brixton, Johannesburg, the monument was designed by architect Jan van Wyk, who also designed the Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl. The striking design features multiple cylindrical columns similar in style to the Afrikaans Language Monument. When the original site fell into disrepair and was sold to a developer in 2001, the monument was rescued and relocated to Orania in 2002. Re-unveiled on November 1, 2002, it now stands on Monument Hill alongside busts of Afrikaner leaders and the Klein Reus statue. The monument represents the solidarity between Irish nationalism and the Boer independence struggle against British imperialism. St Patrick's Day celebrations are held here annually.