Cross of Sacrifice

In 2008 Glasnevin Trust and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) joined together in a partnership to individually mark the graves of those buried in Glasnevin Cemetery who died in service during or as a direct result of the First and Second World Wars.

207 such men and women are buried in the cemetery and all of their graves had not been previously marked or acknowledged. In the following five years either full size CWGC headstones or smaller markers, similar to those seen in Gallipoli, were placed on the relevant graves.

The marking of the graves was also accompanied by a project to research the lives of each of the men and women individually. This gave a remarkable insight into the lives of those who witnessed these moments of history and showed a cross section of political viewpoints, religious beliefs and social standings indicative of the wider story of Glasnevin.

In 2011 two commemorative screen walls that bear the names of the 207 casualties of the wars were relocated to a more prominent position at the new ceremonial plaza. The walls were originally located at the Prospect Gate area of the cemetery and previously had no opening ceremony or dedication.

The next step comes on the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and is the unveiling and dedication of the Cross of Sacrifice adjacent to the commemorative screen walls. It is an international symbol and commemorates those who lie beneath its shadow who died as a result of conflict.

The cross at Glasnevin is the first in the Republic of Ireland and the first in the world made from blue Irish limestone. Its unveiling is an important milestone and it will act as a focus point for commemorative events for years to come.

This Cross of Sacrifice will serve as a reminder of the cost of war for this and future generations. It also reminds us of the sacrifice of the tens of thousands of Irish men from the four provinces of Ireland who gave their lives, limbs and sanity on the international battlefields of two world wars.

Cross of Sacrifice, Glasnevin Cemetery. 31st July 2014.