Glasnevin Cemetery

Overview

Glasnevin Cemetery, often described as Ireland’s National Cemetery, sits on the north‑side of Dublin just 2.5 km from the city centre. Covering 124 acres, it is the largest burial ground in the country and the final resting place for over 1.5 million souls – more than the current population of Dublin itself. The site is a living museum of Irish history, with monuments ranging from modest family stones to grand Celtic crosses, and it is anchored by the 55‑metre‑tall O’Connell Tower, a round‑tower‑style monument built to honour the cemetery’s founder, Daniel O’Connell, the 19th‑century “Liberator”.

Visitors can wander the landscaped grounds at any time, explore the award‑winning Glasnevin Museum, or join one of several specialist tours that bring the stories of Ireland’s political, cultural and social past to life. The cemetery is also a vital resource for genealogists, offering a digitised archive of burial records dating back to 1828.

History

The idea for Glasnevin emerged from a stark injustice of the early 19th century: under the Penal Laws, Irish Catholics were forced to bury their dead in Protestant churchyards, often without a proper ceremony. A public outcry in 1823, when a Protestant sexton rebuked a Catholic priest at St Kevin’s Churchyard, prompted Daniel O’Connell to champion a non‑denominational burial ground where people of all faiths could be interred with dignity.

In February 1832 the nine‑acre plot at Glasnevin was consecrated and opened to the public. The first burial – eleven‑year‑old Michael Carey – took place the following day in what is now known as Curran’s Square. The cemetery was originally called Prospect Cemetery, after the surrounding townland, and quickly grew to accommodate the massive loss of life during the Great Famine and later cholera epidemics; an estimated 800 000 people lie in unmarked mass graves.

Throughout the 19th century the site became a focal point for national mourning. The funeral of Charles Stewart Parnell in 1891 sparked the annual “Ivy Day” commemorations, while the high wall with watchtowers – built to deter bodysnatchers – added a dramatic backdrop to the landscape.

The 20th century cemented Glasnevin’s place in modern Irish history. Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa’s 1915 funeral featured Patrick Pearse’s famous graveside oration, a rallying cry for the Easter Rising. Michael Collins’ 1922 funeral drew an estimated half‑million mourners, one‑fifth of the nation’s population. The cemetery also survived a 1971 bomb attack on the O’Connell Tower and later became home to Ireland’s first crematorium in 1982.

A major restoration project in the early 2000s revived the visitor experience. The Glasnevin Museum opened in March 2010, the O’Connell Tower staircase was rebuilt and reopened in 2018, and the site now offers a range of interactive exhibitions, including the “Extra‑ordinary Lives” display that tells the stories of lesser‑known individuals buried on the grounds.

What to See & Do

• O’Connell Tower – Climb the 198 steps to a viewing platform that offers panoramic vistas over Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea. The tower also houses the crypt of Daniel O’Connell, whose remains were re‑interred here in 1869.
• Glasnevin Museum – Spread over two floors, the museum explores the social, political and artistic development of modern Ireland through the lives of those buried in the necropolis. Highlights include the “City of the Dead” exhibition, interactive genealogy stations and the award‑winning Thea‑recognised visitor experience.
• Graves of National Heroes – Pay respects at the graves of Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Constance Markievicz, Roger Casement, James Larkin, Brendan Behan, Christy Brown and many others. The grave of Michael Collins is one of the most visited sites, surrounded by a memorial to the 183 Irish Free State soldiers who fell with him.
• Celtic Cross Collection – Glasnevin holds the world’s largest collection of Celtic crosses, ranging from modest stonework to elaborate Victorian monuments.
• Specialist Tours – Choose from the Irish History Tour (focus on the 1916 Rising, Civil War and political leaders), the Extra‑ordinary Lives Tour (stories of unusual individuals such as a lion‑tamer and a woman buried twice), the Dead Interesting Tour, the Women in History Tour, or the O’Connell Tower Tour which includes a behind‑the‑scenes look at the crypt.
• Angels Plot – A quiet area dedicated to the burial of still‑born babies, reflecting the cemetery’s inclusive ethos.
• Crematorium – Built in 1982, it serves families of all denominations who prefer cremation.
• Botanic Gardens Gate – A pedestrian gateway links Glasnevin directly to the National Botanic Gardens, allowing a seamless transition between two of Dublin’s most tranquil green spaces.

Practical Information

Accessibility – The Visitor Centre is fully wheelchair accessible, and most guided tours are adapted for wheelchair users. The only exception is Daniel O’Connell’s crypt, which is accessed via a staircase and therefore not wheelchair‑friendly.

How to book – While you can wander the grounds freely, all guided tours and the Extra‑ordinary Lives exhibition require advance booking. Tickets can be purchased online via the Dublin Cemeteries Trust website or at the ticket desk on site.

Nearby attractions – After exploring Glasnevin, consider a short walk to the National Botanic Gardens, a visit to the historic “Gravediggers” pub (John Kavanagh’s), or a trip to Croke Park for a stadium tour.

Genealogy – The on‑site genealogy service offers appointments Wednesday to Friday, 10 am – 5 pm, and an online database that stretches back to 1828. It is an invaluable resource for anyone tracing Irish ancestors.

Visitor etiquette – As an active cemetery, visitors are asked to respect the solemn nature of the site, keep noise to a minimum, and follow any signage regarding restricted areas (e.g., the crypt).