Glasnevin Cemetery

Upcoming Events at Glasnevin

15^th and 16^th February @11am – Mid Term Tales Tours https://www.glasnevinmuseum.ie/_shop/mid-term-tales.cfm

The Mid-term Tales Tours are back for February 2020! Highlights include: Fr. Browne and the Titanic - the man who captured rare photographs of the famous ship. Grave-robbing - Why does Glasnevin Cemetery have such high walls and watch towers? Yew Trees - there is more to them than you think! William Fogarty's pesky parrot. Maria Higgins - the only person in the cemetery who was buried twice. The history of Glasnevin Cemetery will be brought to life with this family friendly tour.

Since 1828, more than 1.5 million people have been interred in Glasnevin - rich and famous, paupers and politicians, artists, warriors and heroes, all resting side by side in this renowned Victorian Garden Cemetery.

Established by Daniel O’Connell as a place where people of “all religions and none” could bury their dead with dignity; the cemetery has grown to become a national monument and is a vital part of the Irish Heritage story. The exhibitions show the social, historical, political and artistic development of modern Ireland through the lives of the generations buried there.

Both the award-winning museum and the guided tours chart the fascinating history of this hallowed place, telling the stories of grave diggers and grave robbers, cholera epidemics, and world wars.

Key to Glasnevin’s success is the popularity of the tour guides whose enthusiasm is compelling. Brimming with banter and charm each tour guide is passionate about sharing their love of heritage and history. No two tours are the same with each guide giving their own personal interpretation. There is inspiration around every corner and at every grave, and with one and a half million stories buried in Glasnevin, there’s no shortage of tales to tell. Visitors gain a heightened sense of understanding of Irish history, and a deeper appreciation of Glasnevin’s never forgotten residents.

Interactive exhibitions, dramatic re-enactments, lectures and daily walking tours visiting many of the renowned figures that shaped the country we live in today including Charles Stewart Parnell, Roger Casement, Eamon De Valera, Michael Collins, Constance Markievicz, Brendan Behan, Luke Kelly and Daniel O’ Connell. This is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of Ireland’s complex and fascinating history. A visit inside Daniel O’Connell’s Celtic Romantic designed Crypt and iconic tower, the tallest in Ireland, forms part of the tour.

Trace Your Ancestors

A genealogy research area, where access to the extensive online records can be accessed is a must for those researching their ancestry. Not only have the records been digitised, but images of the original hand written entries are attached to each record. Glasnevin honours the centuries old tradition of continuing to enter all records manually into giant leather bound tomes, which are kept in temperature and humidity controlled archive rooms in the museum building, thereby preserving the past for future generations. It is this meticulous record-keeping, coupled with advances in technology, that enables you to research your family history so thoroughly.

Visit the museum shop, home to a terrific collection of Irish crafts, jewellery, mementos, historical books, and other interesting gift items or stop for a cuppa in The Tower Café - a popular pit stop for locals and visitors alike.

The world famous National Botanic Gardens adjoins the cemetery and can be accessed via pedestrian gateway. Witness the incredible collection of rare plants housed in massive conservatories, including the spectacular Palm House – combined with Glasnevin it’s now the second largest green space in Dublin with over 200 acres of mature parkland home to over 17,000 plants.

Celebrating history, heritage and culture, join this intriguing journey through Ireland’s past.

Newly Opened O’Connell Tower 

The O'Connell Tower is an iconic structure and well-known around Dublin.  It is synonymous with Glasnevin Cemetery at this point.  It was built to commemorate the life of one of Ireland's greatest political figures, Daniel O'Connell.

Work began on the tower in 1854, seven years after O'Connell died in 1847.  Hundreds of skilled tradesmen and labourers worked for over 16 months to construct the magnificent tower which stands so tall to this very day.  Patrick Byrne was the architect who conceived the design, he was also responsible for both: St. Audeon's Church and St. Paul's Church in Dublin.

In 1971, a large bomb comprised of 10lbs of gelignite exploded at the base of the Tower.  Luckily nobody was harmed in the blast apart from one pigeon.  This is the reason that the tower has been closed for over 45 years. 

Ireland's Tallest Round Tower - The Facts

Yes, O'Connell Tower is actually the tallest round tower in Ireland and here are some more facts about it:

• The height of the tower from its foundation to the apex of the cross on top is 180 feet (55 metres)
• The aforementioned cross is cut from one piece of solid granite and stands at over 7 foot high
• The staircase was restored using the original plans and methods employed by the workers in the 1800s
• There are 198 steps from base to summit
• Your reward for taking on those steps is a 360 degree panoramic view of Dublin and the surrounding areas

Admission Rates:

Guided Tour & Museum

• Adults €14.50
• Child/Senior/Students: €12.00.
• Family (2 adults + up to 4 children): €40
• Includes: guided tour, museum, €5 off Glasnevin – Ireland’s Necropolis (book), selected discounts in the museum shop and café (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Museum Only - Senior/Child/Group €5.00 / Adult €7.00 / Family (2 adults + up to 4 children) €19.00

The O’Connell Tower

• Adult - €9.50
• Child 8-16yrs - €6.50
• Senior over 60yrs - €6.50
• Student - €6.50
• Family (2 adults & 2 children over 8) - €27

Tour Times:

• Daily Public Tour times (additional tours during the summer months) - General History Tour - 11.30h & 14:30h (Mon – Sun)
• Dead Interesting Tour - Weekends at 13:00h
• Re-Enactment - takes place at 2:30 pm (check website for seasonal availability)

Public Transport:

• Bus: 40 & 140 from O’Connell St.
• Hop on Hop off: Dublin City sightseeing every 30 mins