Complex sentence: It was designed by Burges and erected in 1870 free of charge as his gift to the city, in recognition of Cork's willingness to fund his original design, and positioned the sculpture in place of an intended wrought-iron cross.
Split into simpler sentences: It was designed by Burges and erected in 1870 free of charge as his gift to the city. Burges was moved by the city's willingness to fund his original design, and positioned the sculpture in place of an intended wrought-iron cross.