In
early June after enjoying the delights of a heat wave we set off for Dublin in
torrential rain and a sharp drop in temperature for our annual day trip which
took us to Glasnevin Cemetery, The Botanic Gardens and Liffey Valley Shopping
Centre. Having left the Child of Prague statue out during the night in the
torrential rain I was hopeful that the weather conditions would improve as we
travelled east and sure enough bright skies greeted us as we drove into Dublin.
We enjoyed tea and oven hot scones at
Tyrellspass Castle restaurant before making our way on to the motorway once
more. A slight problem arose when the driver discovered we were going to
Glasnevin not Nassau Street as his boss instructed him. He didn’t know the way,
the sat-nav wouldn’t work as it didn’t recognise “Glasnevin Cemetery” (later we
discovered the cemetery is listed as Prospect Cemetery). How confusing?
However, to the rescue came Pat Duddy with the aid of Bríd Mc Mahon’s map he
guided us safely to our destination. Michael, the driver was really stressed.
Brigid, a very informative and entertaining
guide took charge of us for over two hours. She regaled us with historical
information and stories of this ‘Ireland’s necropolis’, the cemetery is the
burial place of 1.5million people, including some famous names. These include
the politicians, Daniel O Connell. Michael Collins, Charles Stewart Parnell,
Éamon de Valera, Arthur Griffith,and Countess Markievicz, the poet Gerard
Manley Hopkins, the writer Brendan Behan, the singer Luke Kelly and art
collector Alfred Chester Beatty.
Established by Daniel O Connell
in 1832 as a final resting place for people of all religions. The self guided tour in the museum offers a who’s who of Irish political life in the last century.
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| Sean & Clare O Flynn, Rosaleen Crowe O Neill & Caroline Kelly |
The
City of the Dead in the basement of the museum, explains the burial practices
and religious beliefs of those interred there.
The
Prospect Gallery which has a panoramic view of the cemetery, has information on
its monuments and historic graves.
After two hours our heads were buzzing with
information on our Irish heroes and heroines as well as the stories of the
ordinary men and women of Dublin buried there. We adjourned for lunch and a
welcome rest.
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| Mary ,Triona and friend Marie |
We had a stop over in the Botanic Gardens where
members strolled among the flowers and shrubs. Others opted for a chat and a
coffee.
We were rather surprised when the men on board
insisted we pay a visit to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre!! What did they want
to buy we wondered? We ladies are always willing to please so we gave them an
hour’s shopping time. Yes they were back on time while we waited patiently for
them!!
Kathleen Campbell was in full voice when we once more settled back
in the bus. Armed with song sheets she led the sing-song all the way to
Athlone.
We had
a memorable day and we all made it home safely tired but happy and contented.
Mary Kyne (Runaí)