History was made today when Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) officially opened the new pedestrian link between the National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin Cemetery & Museum. The link between the two institutions will allow visitors a chance to enjoy the unique amenities each has to offer.
Speaking today, Minister Hayes said, “It is my pleasure to be here today, as we link two of Ireland’s most iconic institutions; the National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin Cemetery. I’m very proud that OPW have led the initiative on this project and created a pedestrian link, which creates a wonderful public green-space for all to enjoy. I hope that visitors will use this new link to experience the amenities of both institutions and given that together the two sites contain the greatest number of protected structures in the State, it will serve as an important cultural and historical connector for future generations.”
The National Botanic Gardens is Ireland’s premier botanical and horticultural establishment and has seen massive development since OPW took over its management in 1992. Since then, over 15 different projects have been carried out, including the award-winning restoration of the Turner Curvilinear Range and the Great Palm House. The Gardens also host a range of cultural, scientific and educational programmes for young and old alike.
Glasnevin Trust, which owns and manages the Cemetery & Museum, has an ongoing Restoration Programme partially funded through the Office of Public Works (OPW), making an important contribution towards restoring this great necropolis to its pristine glory of the early 1900s. This undertaking commenced in 2007 and is due for completion in time for the 2016 Easter Rising centenary celebrations.
Speaking at the opening of the new link, Glasnevin Trust Chairman, John Green said, “We’re delighted this new link is open. It combines two of Dublin’s leading attractions and we foresee visitors to both the Glasnevin Cemetery & Museum and the National Botanic Gardens availing of this link to experience the sights of both iconic institutions. Glasnevin Cemetery was established in 1832 under the direction of Daniel O’Connell for the purpose of burying ‘people of all religions and none’. It has been an important element of Ireland’s national heritage through the social and political history of the people buried there from all walks of life over the past 178 years. The new gateway and link complements perfectly our Award Winning Museum, which opened in 2010, showcasing, as it does, the social, historical, political and artistic development of modern Ireland through the lives of the 1.5 million people buried in Ireland’s national necropolis.”
The construction of the new Pedestrian Link between the two institutions involved the removal of a 4metre section of the existing railing, provision of a new security controlled access gate, paved steps, and a paved gently sloped access route designed for universal access between each venue.
Note to Editors:
About The National Botanic Gardens
The National Botanic Gardens were established in 1795 under the auspices of the Dublin Society, later the Royal Dublin Society, at the behest of the Irish Parliament to 'promote a scientific knowledge in the various branches of agriculture'. In 1992 the Gardens transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Office of Public Works. An architectural Masterplan by OPW led to a National Botanic Gardens Management Plan in October 1992. The implementation of the plans led to a rejuvenated National Botanic Garden. To date, over 15 different projects have been carried out by the same OPW architectural team. The most notable projects include the Restoration of the Turner Curvilinear Range (awarded RIAI Restoration medal), the Great Palm House (both of which won the EU Prize for Conservation – Europa Nostra Award) the original 1732 Estate House and new building such as the Library/Herbarium and the Visitors Centre.
Open every day except Christmas Day. Opening Hours:
Summer (March to October) Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00, Sat & Sun 10.00-16.30.
Winter (November to February) Mon-Fri 09.00-16.30, Sat & Sun 10.00-16.30
Admission Free. Car parking charge €2. Restaurant/tearooms open daily.
About Glasnevin Trust, Cemetery & Museum
Glasnevin Trust is the largest provider of funeral services in Ireland serving 2,500 burials and 1,300 cremations annually. The Trust is run by an executive management team and governed by the Dublin Cemeteries Committee, a voluntary not-for-profit body originally established by Daniel O’Connell in 1828. The Committee was subsequently re-established under the Dublin Cemeteries Committee Acts of 1846 and 1970.
The Trust’s mission today remains as it was handed down from Daniel O’Connell; “to bury people of all religions and none.”
It operates five cemeteries (Dardistown, Glasnevin, Goldenbridge, Newlands Cross and Palmerstown) and two crematoria (Glasnevin and Newlands Cross). The Group also provides florist and monument works services to the bereaved. The dates of establishment of each cemetery and crematorium are as follows – Goldenbridge (1828); Glasnevin Cemetery (1832); Palmerstown Cemetery (1978); Glasnevin Crematorium (1982); Dardistown Cemetery (1990); Newlands Cross Cemetery (2000); Newlands Cross Crematorium (2001).
About Glasnevin Cemetery
The cemetery encompasses 124 acres and 1.5 million burials.
Famous people interred there include the founder of the Cemetery - Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, O’Donovan Rossa, Eamon De Valera, Michael Collins, Countess Markiewicz, Maud Gonne McBride, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Brendan Behan, Christy Brown, Jimmy O’Dea, Luke Kelly, Alfred Chester Beatty, Michael Cusack and Liam Whelan. Less acclaimed people include victims of the Great Famine, the Cholera outbreaks and the Air India crash as well as the babies in the old Angels’ plot which was renovated and inaugurated by President McAleese in 2005. The new Angels’ plot (1970 – to present day) is currently undergoing renovation.
The Cemetery’s most famous architectural feature is the 51 metre high O’Connell Tower, designed by George Petries and made of Wicklow granite, where the remains of Daniel O’Connell are interred in a family crypt directly below the tower. It is the highest round tower in Ireland. The crypt and tower have recently been restored in conjunction with the OPW and are open to the public for the first time since 1970.
The Mortuary Chapel, designed in the 1870s, is appointed with stone carvings by James Pearse (father of Padraig and Willie).