Glasnevin Cemetery facts for kids
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Grave of Michael Collins beside visitors' centre
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1832 |
| Location |
Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11
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| Country | Ireland |
| Type | Public |
| Owned by | Glasnevin Trust |
| Size | 124 acres (50 ha) |
| No. of interments | 1.5 million |
Glasnevin Cemetery (Irish: Reilig Ghlas Naíon) is a very large and important cemetery in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland. It first opened its gates in 1832. This special place holds the graves and memorials of many famous people from Irish history. It also has a museum where you can learn more about its past.
Contents
History of Glasnevin Cemetery
Before Glasnevin Cemetery was built, Irish Catholics faced problems when burying their loved ones. Laws from the 1700s made it hard for them to hold Catholic funeral services in public. They often had to use Protestant churchyards.
A Champion for Change
In 1823, something happened at a funeral that made people very upset. A church worker told a Catholic priest off for praying during a funeral. This event sparked a big public outcry.
Daniel O'Connell, a strong supporter of Catholic rights, decided to act. He worked to prove that there was no law stopping Catholics from praying for their dead in a graveyard. O'Connell then pushed for a new burial ground. He wanted a place where both Irish Catholics and Protestants could bury their dead with respect.
Opening the Cemetery
Glasnevin Cemetery was officially opened on February 21, 1832. The very first person buried there was Michael Carey, an eleven-year-old boy. His burial took place the next day. The cemetery was first called Prospect Cemetery. This name came from the area around it, known as Prospect.
Many people were buried in Glasnevin, especially during tough times. Nearly 800,000 people were buried in unmarked mass graves. This was due to the large number of deaths from the Great Famine in the 1840s and a later cholera outbreak.
Growing Over Time
The cemetery started as a nine-acre plot. Today, it has grown to about 124 acres. This includes a part called St. Paul's, located across the Finglas Road. Since 1982, people have also had the option of cremation here.
Glasnevin Cemetery is still looked after by the Dublin Cemeteries Committee. Work is always being done to expand and improve the cemetery.
Services and Traditions
A Catholic Mass is held every Sunday at 9:45 AM. Each summer, there is an annual blessing of the graves. This tradition has continued since the cemetery first opened in 1832.
Location and Surroundings
Glasnevin Cemetery is in Glasnevin, Dublin. It is split into two main parts. The main section has tall walls and watchtowers. It is on one side of the road that goes from Finglas to the city centre. The other part, "St. Paul's," is across the road, between two railway lines.
A special gate connects the cemetery to the National Botanic Gardens. This gate was reopened a few years ago.
Key Features and Memorials
Famous Graves and Monuments
Glasnevin Cemetery is home to many important monuments and graves. These belong to some of Ireland's most well-known national figures. Some of these famous people include:
- Daniel O'Connell
- Charles Stewart Parnell
- Michael Collins
- Éamon de Valera
- Arthur Griffith
- Maude Gonne
- Roger Casement
- Constance Markievicz
- James Larkin
- Brendan Behan
- Christy Brown
- Luke Kelly of the Dubliners
The grave of Michael Collins is one of the most visited spots. He was a nationalist leader who died in the Irish Civil War in 1922. Around his grave, at least 183 soldiers of the Irish Free State are buried. Their names were added to a memorial near Collins's grave in 1967.
In 1993, a mass grave was found at a site that used to be a laundry. The remains were later cremated and reburied in a mass grave at Glasnevin Cemetery.
Changing Styles of Memorials
The cemetery also shows how grave monuments have changed over the last 200 years.
- Early graves (up to the 1860s) were often simple, tall stone markers.
- Later, from the 1860s to the 1960s, you can see elaborate Celtic crosses. These became popular during a time of Irish national pride.
- More recent graves from the late 20th century often use plain Italian marble.
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Protecting the Graves
The high walls and watch-towers around the main part of the cemetery were built for a special reason. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, there were people called "bodysnatchers" in Dublin. They would try to dig up bodies from graves. The watchmen at Glasnevin even had a pack of bloodhounds to help guard the cemetery at night!
Since 2009, Glasnevin Trust has worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. They identify the graves of Irish service members who died in the two World Wars. Their names are now on two memorials near the main entrance. A Cross of Sacrifice was also put up to remember those who died in the First World War. As of 2019, 215 service members from both wars are buried here.
The Angels Plot
Glasnevin is one of the few cemeteries that allowed stillborn babies to be buried in consecrated ground. There is a special area within the cemetery called the Angels Plot for these burials.
Crematorium Services
In 1982, a crematorium was built inside the cemetery grounds. It is run by Glasnevin Trust. This service is used by people of different religions who choose cremation.
Museum and Educational Tours
A key feature of the cemetery is the Glasnevin Trust Museum. It was designed by A&D Wejchert & Partners Architects and opened in 2010. The museum also has a café.
The cemetery offers tours for visitors. It also welcomes educational groups and helps people who are researching their family history.
Images for kids
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Grave of Michael Collins beside visitors' centre
See also
In Spanish: Cementerio de Glasnevin para niños
