Glasnevin Cemetery

Glasnevin Cemetery is a large cemetery in Glasnevin, Dublin, which opened in 1832. It holds the graves and memorials of several notable figures, and has a museum. Prior to the establishment of Glasnevin Cemetery, Irish Catholics had no cemeteries of their own in which to bury their dead. Glasnevin Cemetery was consecrated and opened to the public for the first time on 21 February 1832. The first burial, that of eleven-year-old Michael Carey from Francis Street in Dublin, took place on the following day in a section of the cemetery known as Curran’s Square. Originally covering nine acres of ground, the area of the cemetery has now grown to approximately 124 acres. This includes its expansion on the southern side of the Finglas Road with the section called St. Paul’s. The option of cremation has been provided since March 1982. Glasnevin Cemetery remains under the care of the Dublin Cemeteries Committee. The development of the cemetery is an ongoing task with major expansion and refurbishment work being carried out at the present time. The annual blessing of the graves takes place each summer as it has done since the foundation of the cemetery in 1832.