Sixth Class Order of The Rising Sun

When in Carrigaline recently, I spotted the sculpture first and then the plaque to John & Cornelius Collins – definitely new names to me.

I am not sure if it is all one art installation but to me it definitely looks like it is. I like.

ERECTED TO COMMEMORATE JOHN AND CORNELIUS COLLINS.

WHILE IN THE BRITISH NAVY FROM 1865 TO 1879 THEY SRVED AS INSTRUCTORS TO THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY BETWEEN 1873 AND 1879. HAVING LEFT THE BRITISH NAVY THEY WERE INVITED BY THE JAPANESE NAVAL AUTHORITIES TO RETURN TO JAPAN AS INSTRUCTORS BETWEEN 1879 & 1888.

BOTH WERE CONFERRED WITH THE SIXTH CLASS ORDER OF THE RISING SUN ON AUGUST, 8th 1888 BY THE EMPEROR MEIJI.