Garden of Remembrance

Garden of Remembrance – amidst the bustling streets of Dublin, there is a hushed garden that is dedicated to “All those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom.” The Garden of Remembrance is a large sunken garden designed by Daithi Hanly and it features a pool in the shape of a non-denominational cross designed to be inclusive of all religions, creeds or colors. The floor of the cross is lined with mosaics of shattered swords and broken shields – echoing the rituals of ancient clans who would break their weapons at the end of battle and throw them into the rivers or large bodies of water to symbolize the end of a conflict.The Garden of Remembrance commemorates all Irish uprisings from 1798 through Ireland’s more recent “Troubles” of the 20th century. In May of 2011, Queen Elizabeth II laid a wreath in the Garden of Remembrance. This was a very controversial move that was heralded by the Irish media as further proof that the armed conflict between the two nations had come to an end.