Why is Glasnevin Cemetery Famous?
Glasnevin Cemetery was established in 1832 by Daniel O’Connell, a well know Irish political leader known as ‘The Liberator” for his efforts in achieving Catholic Emancipation. The cemetery was created to provide a burial place for people of all religious denominations, including Catholics who were previously denied proper burials in consecrated ground.
The Glasnevin Museum is located on the cemetery grounds. It offers insight into Irish history and the lives of those buried in the cemetery. Visitors can learn about the cemetery’s history and Ireland’s struggle for independence.
What famous people are buried in Glasnevin?
Glasnevin is the final resting place of 1.5 million people including Daniel O’Connell, Eamon de Valera (a former Irish President and political leader), Michael Collins (a key figure in the Irish War of Independence) and many other political, cultural, and historical figures. The grounds span 124 acres and there are many different plots, vaults, and sadly unmarked graves on site.
Other famous people buried at Glasnevin include Luke Kelly of the Dubliners, Kevin Barry executed by hanging at the age of 18, James Larkin sometimes known as Big Jim, socialist and trade union leader.
Can you get buried in Glasnevin?
There are various graves still available in a number of sections of the site. If you are interested you can contact Dublin Cemeteries Trust buy emailing; graveavailability@dctrust.ie.
Can you take a tour of Glasnevin Cemetery?
Yes, you can take a tour of the Cemetery. One of interest was the Irish History Tour which included details of the 1916 Rising, The war of Independence and the Civil War. You can book a tour of the Museum by going to the Dublin Cemetery Trust Website.
You can also visit Glasnevin Cemetery and get one of the friendly staff to look up a burial site for you when you visit. They provide a grid map and some general directions.
Dublin Cemetery Trust have digitised every burial in the cemeteries they managed since the first internment in 1828. I used the service and found the burial details of my ancestors. Even though the information I put in the search was not complete or totally correct, the search still managed to find my ancestors on their digitised copy. There is a fee attached to do a search.
My great-grandfather is one of the 207 servicemen and women who are buried in Glasnevin Cemetery who served in the World Wars. The Commonwealth War Graves do an amazing work of maintaining and documenting war graves. Finding my great-grandfather was easy to find and free to search.
It’s worth the visit to discover some of Ireland’s history and to pay respects to ancestors who have long passed.
Glasnevin Cemetery and Crematorium
Finglas Road
Dublin, D11XA32