Locations

Glasnevin Cemetery, located in Dublin, is the largest cemetery in Ireland and a significant site in the country’s history. Established in 1832 by Daniel O’Connell, the cemetery was created to provide a burial ground for people of all faiths, especially Catholics, who had been denied the right to bury their dead with proper rites during much of British rule. O’Connell’s vision was to offer a dignified resting place for all, regardless of religion or social status.

Spanning over 120 acres, Glasnevin Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1.5 million people, including many key figures in Irish history. Among the most notable are O’Connell himself, whose imposing round tower is a major landmark in the cemetery, as well as other prominent leaders like Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, and Countess Markievicz. These figures played crucial roles in Ireland’s fight for independence and the formation of the modern Irish state.

Glasnevin Cemetery also serves as a reflection of Ireland’s social and political evolution, with graves marking important periods like the Great Famine, the Easter Rising of 1916, and the Irish Civil War. The cemetery is home to both modest headstones and grand monuments, illustrating the diverse social strata of those buried there.

Today, the cemetery is a place of national pilgrimage and remembrance. It houses a museum that provides visitors with insights into Ireland’s complex history, and guided tours highlight the many stories of courage, tragedy, and change that are tied to this sacred ground.