Exploring Glasnevin Cemetery might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a visit to Dublin. But it absolutely should be on your itinerary, if possible!
This beautifully restored Victorian cemetery has been around since 1832. As the Irish joke, people have been “dying to get in” for nearly two centuries.
This isn’t your typical graveyard either. Glasnevin Cemetery is like a walk through Irish history. Revolutionaries, politicians, literary giants, and everyday people rest side by side.
And maybe even a few lingering spirits with opinions of their own.
Mini History of Glasnevin
Glasnevin Cemetery owes its existence to Daniel O’Connell. He’s the Irish leader who fought for Catholics to have the right to their own burial ground.
Before that, they had no choice but to be laid to rest in Protestant cemeteries.
Glasnevin became a powerful symbol of Ireland’s growing independence.It was a place where everyone, no matter their faith, could be buried with dignity.
And while it’s famous for hosting legendary figures, it’s also filled with fascinating stories and tales of ordinary people.
The first person buried in Glasnevin was 11 year old Michael Carey, a boy from one of Dublin’s poorest neighborhoods.
Not long after, cholera victims were laid to rest here, and rumors swirled that the contaminated water supply claimed even more lives.
There’s also the tragic tale of a baby killed in the crossfire of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Since then, around 1.5 million souls have made Glasnevin their final home.
If you’re a history buff or just curious about some of Dublin’s most sought-after real estate, Glasnevin Cemetery is packed with fascinating stories—though the residents tend to stay pretty quiet!
Guide To Glasnevin Cemetery: What to See
Graves
As you wander the grounds, you’ll find the graves of many of Ireland’s most important historical figures. Each grave tells its own story of struggle, leadership, and the fight for Ireland’s future.
Daniel O’Connell himself is buried here. As is fitting, he’s in the largest and most elaborate mausoleum in the cemetery. He lies under a towering 168 foot monument that you can’t miss.
O’Connell’s tomb is a fitting tribute to “The Liberator,” the man who fought for Catholic rights and Irish independence.
You can touch his coffin through portals cut into the marble surround.
Nearby, you’ll come across the graves of other famous Irishmen, like Michael Collins. He was a revolutionary leader and founder of the Irish Free State and known as “The Big Fellow.”
He helped lead a guerrilla war against England from 1919 to 1921. This led to qualified Irish independence and the partition of Northern Ireland.
Collins was assassinated at only 31, during the Irish Civil War that followed.
If you thought O’Connell’s funeral was huge, Collins was even bigger. 500,000 people came out to pay their respects.
His grave is also relatively simple, right behind the museum. It’s often adorned with flowers and notes left by admirers.
You’ll also find the grave Eamon de Valera, Ireland’s third president.
He was as a key figure in Ireland’s fight for independence and had a long career as both President of Ireland and Prime Minister. His grave is marked with a simple headstone.
It’s located in the Republican Plot, a section of dedicated to those who were involved in Ireland’s struggle for independence.
Charles Stewart Parnell is another key figure in Irish political history. He was known a the “Uncrowned King of Ireland.”
He returned land to the Irish people that had been nicked by the British. Parnell also brought Ireland to the brink of home rule.
As he wanted, his grave is a simple affair. It’s a grass mound marked only by a large boulder engraved with his name. 200,000 people attended his funeral, which lasted all day.
Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, a prominent Irish nationalist and Fenian leader, is also buried in Glasnevin.
Rossa’s funeral, in August 1915, became a powerful political event. Patrick Pearse delivered a famous oration at his graveside. This rallied support for the nationalist cause and was key moment leading up to the 1916 Easter Rising.
Pearse’s speech included the iconic line: “The fools, the fools, the fools! They have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.”
Rossa’s grave is marked with a large stone slab in the Republican Plot.
I was told that, sometimes on the 2:30 pm tour, you may hear an actor playing the role of Pearse and delivering the famous lines.
Constance Markievicz is also buried in Glasnevin. She was the first woman elected to the British Parliament (although she didn’t take her seat).
Markievicz was a revolutionary, suffragist, and key figure in the Easter Rising of 1916. She was also a significant advocate for Irish independence and women’s rights.
As a leader of the 1916 Easter Rising, Pearse himself is also buried in the cemetery. He was one of the key figures in Irish republicanism.
His execution by British forces, along with others from the Rising, cemented his place as a martyr for Irish independence. Pearse’s gravesite is an important stop for those exploring Ireland’s revolutionary history.
You’ll also find the grave of acclaimed novelist Brendan Behan. He was one of Ireland’s most famous playwrights, novelists, and poets, known for works like The Quare Fellow and Borstal Boy.
He was a larger-than-life figure. His wit, humor, and political engagement made him one of the most beloved and colorful personalities in Irish literature.
But Glasnevin isn’t just about the famous. It’s a place where ordinary Irish people, with extraordinary stories, are honored as well.
From poets to politicians, from soldiers to citizens, this cemetery is a tribute to all who shaped Ireland, whether their names are known or not.
One heartbreaking graved is the title Angels’ plot. It contains 50,000 babied that were were mostly stillborn. Back then, Glasnevin was the only cemetery that allowed burials of unbaptized babes.
And that’s just a sampler. There are a hundred other graves of interest. Some of them are larger than your house.
Museum
One of the highlights of the cemetery is its museum. It opened in 2010 and won European Museum of the Year in 2011. Glanevin was the world’s first cemetery museum.
It’s a rare thing indeed — a beautiful piece of modern architecture. And It brings it all to life for you!
The museum is designed to immerse you in the lives of those buried in Glasnevin.
It incudes a visitor center, crypt, restaurant, exhibition space, and the Daniel O’Connell lecture hall. The fanciest gadget is a 30 foot interactive timeline that shares the stories of over 200 people.
You can learn about the lives of Irish men and women who helped build the country—from the well-known to the lesser-known heroes.
The crypt gives you a rare chance to step inside the resting place of O’Connell, one of Ireland’s greatest leaders.
The City of the Dead is fascinating too, and not a Hollywood zombie movie. It’s an exhibition telling the story of the gravediggers, body snatchers, and burial practices both old and new.
The best way to see it all is take one of the guided tours.
The mood here isn’t light—this is a cemetery, after all. But the moving tribute to influential Irish figures will help enrich your understanding of Dublin and Ireland.
Gravedigger’s
Once you’ve soaked in the history, you might need a moment to unwind. That’s where the Gravediggers Pub comes in.
Officially named John Kavanagh’s, but known to all as The Gravediggers, this pub has been serving pints since 1833.
Located right next to the cemetery, it’s the perfect spot to reflect on your visit over a Guinness. The pub has barely changed over the years. The atmosphere is as authentic as it gets.
Practical Guide & Tips For Visiting Glasnevin Cemeery
Address: Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11
Getting There:
By Bus: Glasnevin Cemetery is easily accessible by Dublin’s public bus system. Buses like the 9, 40, or 83 will take you close to the cemetery. You can catch these from different locations around the city center.
By Car or Taxi: The cemetery is located about 1.8 miles north of the city center, and you can drive or take a taxi directly to the cemetery.
By Walking: If you enjoy walking, it’s around a 40 minute walk from the city center to the cemetery.
Hours:
Glasnevin Cemetery is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm for pedestrians. The Visitor Centre, which includes the museum and access to tours, is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Guided Tours:
Glasnevin offers highly recommended guided tours, which provide insight into the cemetery’s history and its prominent Irish figures.
Tickets:
It’s free to visit the cemetery and walk around. It’s €14 for a guided tour and €10 for the O’Connell Tower.
Parking is available for a fee of €2 per hour within the main gate
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Glasnevin Cemetery. You may find these other Dublin travel guides useful:
- Dublin bucket list
- 1 day in Dublin itinerary
- 2 days in Dublin itinerary
- 3 days in Dublin itinerary
- guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- guide to Trinity College & Book of Kells
- guide to the Guinness Storehouse
- guide to the National Museum of Ireland
Pin it for later.
