History was made today when Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) oversaw the breaching of the wall between the National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin Cemetery & Museum. The event marks the commencement of construction of a pedestrian link between the two institutions, which will allow visitors a chance to enjoy the unique amenities each has to offer.
Speaking today, Minister Hayes said, “It is entirely appropriate that my office, the OPW have driven this initiative, which brings together the synergies of the National Botanic Gardens, which it manages and Glasnevin Cemetery, which through OPW, has received Government grant aid for its wonderful restoration works. The linking of the Cemetery grounds with the Gardens and the Tolka Valley Linear Park will create a verdant green park of over 200 acres. When combined, this will create the second largest green space amenity in Dublin City after the Phoenix Park; locals and tourists alike will enjoy the benefits of this exciting new development.”
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 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 commencement of works, Glasnevin Trust Chairman, John Green, said: “Over 1.2 million people visit these two great amenities every year. Soon we will all be able to enjoy both their similarities and differences in 200 acres of beautifully appointed historical parklands and what will be the largest traffic free zone in Dublin City.”
The new Link between the two institutions will involve 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. It is anticipated that visitors to both the National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin Cemetery & Museum will use the link to experience the amenities of both iconic institutions and serve as an important cultural and historical connector for future generations.
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 Cemetery
Glasnevin Cemetery was established in 1832 under the direction of Daniel O’Connell for the purpose of burying ‘people of all religions and none’. The cemetery encompasses 124 acres and 1.5 million burials. Glasnevin has great national heritage through the social and historical history of the people buried there from all walks of life over 178 years.
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.
The Cemetery’s most famous architectural feature is the 51 metre high O’Connell Tower, the highest round tower in Ireland, where the remains of Daniel O’Connell (‘The Liberator’) are interred in a crypt. The crypt and tower have been restored in conjunction with the OPW and are open to the public. During the Summer months there are daily re-enactments of Padraig Pearse’s famous 1915 oration at the graveside of the the old fenian O’Donovan Rossa who died in America and was returned home for burial. The funeral was used as a rallying point for the 1916 Rising.
About Glasnevin Cemetery Museum
The multi-international award winning Glasnevin Cemetery Museum was opened in April 2010. The museum showcases the social, historical, political and artistic development of modern Ireland through the lives of the 1.5 million people buried in Glasnevin Cemetery - Ireland’s national necropolis.
The three storey museum hosts three main feature exhibits and a restaurant:
The City of the Dead – an exhibition of burial practices of all religions and faiths.
The Milestone Gallery houses ‘the Timeline’ – a 10 metre long digitally interactive table containing details of the lives and relationships of hundreds of the most famous people buried there.
The glazed Prospect Gallery offers exhibitions over a panoramic view of the cemetery, along with information on its marvellous array of funerary monuments and historic graves.
A 70 seat restaurant: Caterers, With Taste, operate the Tower Café restaurant offering morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea.
Glasnevin Cemetery is famous for its walking tours and museum. A combined ticket for the two costs just €12. Admission to the museum’s exhibitions is €6.00 for adults, €4 for children, with 10% discounts offered for students and OAPs. Glasnevin Cemetery walking tours run daily at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Family tickets for both the museum and cemetery walking tour can be purchased for €25.00 (2 Adults & 2 Children)