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Museum brings cemetery to life

Monday, 19 April 2010

GLASNEVIN cemetery’s multi-million euro museum was officially opened last week adding a significant new cultural landmark to the Northside. An Taoiseach Brian Cowen attended the ceremony to mark the launch of the e11 million museum, which will be visited by as many as 200,000 people a year. The development, which was funded by Glasnevin Trust, showcases the social, historical, political and artistic development of Ireland through the lives of the 1.5 million people who are buried in the national cemetery. An Taoiseach Brian Cowen congratulated all those involved in the project for their “vision, creativity and commitment” in the museum project which was designed by Dublin-based architects, A&D Wejchert. “I would like to congratulate Glasnevin Trust for developing what is set to become a marvellous new tourism attraction, focused on Ireland’s past while also respecting Glasnevin’s primary role as a place of rest for those who have gone before us,” he stated. “I believe that the tourism sector can make a major contribution to Ireland’s economic renewal and I understand that cultural tourism can account for up to 40 per cent of annual visitors to many international cities. “This new facility is a really important addition to the long list of reasons for visitors to come to Dublin and Ireland. “The new museum compliments the major programme of restoration works in Glasnevin Cemetery, which is being managed by Glasnevin Trust in association with the Office of Public Works (OPW).” According to John Greene, chairman of Glasnevin Trust, the opening of the museum is “a major milestone for the necropolis” (cemetery), which opened 178 years ago. “The cemetery mirrors the life and history of the nation and we are hopeful that the museum will compliment the walking tours and the restorative works that are ongoing,” he said. “As a charity, the Trust’s primary role will always be to provide services for the burial or cremation of the dead with dignity. “Glasnevin museum will enable the Trust to generate a surplus that will ensure the cemetery is well maintained for another 178 years and more.” The ‘Liberator’ Daniel O’Connell founded the cemetery in 1832 for the purpose of burying ‘people of all religions and none’. His great, great, great, great, grandsons Jack and Daniel were among his ancestors who attended last week’s ceremony. “This is a massive honour and a very proud occasion for us as a family,” Jack told Northside People. Daniel said the occasion reinforced the family’s “sense of identity”. “I’m extremely proud of my heritage and the connection we have with Glasnevin cemetery,” he explained. “The opening of the museum reminds of our roots.” Cemetery historian Shane MacThomais has high hopes for the state-of-the-art museum, which is the first of its kind in world. “This is the most modern and advanced museum in the country and is a major achievement in the overall restoration project which is due for completion in time for the 2016 Easter Rising commemoration,” he explained. “The next step will be the restoration of the staircase in O’Connell tower which will get underway when we get the money. “Glasnevin cemetery is and has always been a non-profit organisation so this museum has been paid for by the money generated from burial plots, tours and even the bouquets of flowers that visitors can buy.” Work on the new three-storey museum, which will create 17 new jobs, began 17 months ago and was completed on schedule. The museum features three main exhibits including The City of The Dead in the basement, which covers the burial practices, religious beliefs and records of the 1.5 million people buried there. The Milestone Gallery houses exhibitions on key historical figures and a 10-metre long digital interactive table that tells the story of the lives and relationships of the most famous people buried there including Eamon De Valera, Michael Collins and Brendan Behan. The museum also has a 70-seater restaurant where lunch and afternoon tea will be available. Admission to the museum’s exhibitions is e6 for adults and e4 for children with a 10 per cent discount for students and old age pensioners.