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History Field Trip

What: Seniors History Trip.
Where: Glasnevin Cemetery, Co. Dublin.

Date: Tuesday 24th January 2012.

On a blustery day in late The graves of Eamon De
January, the diligent fifth and Valera, Arthur Griffith
sixth year history students and Michael Collins also
accompanied by Ms.Forde and stand out. Arthur Griffit’s
Ms. Trenier visited Glasnevin grave is characterised by
Cemetery. There was a hint the broken pillar beside
of pathetic fallacy in the air his headstone. The tour
as the rain poured down! At guide informed us that
the cemetery we were given this represents the life cut
a guided tour of the burial short. Griffith died in August 1922, a couple of months into
places of some historical his role as President of the Dáil.
figures. Firstly, we saw Daniel Michael Collin’s resting place is between two plots dedicated
O’Connell’s vault. He is renowned for achieving Catholic to the armed forces. This seems appropriate as Collins died in
Emancipation in Ireland. O’Connell was also a founding action, fighting to establish an Irish Free State. It is the most
member of the graveyard. The round tower which stands visited plot in Glasnevin, and is arrayed with an abundance
above the vault where Daniel O’Connell lies is a fitting of flowers all year round, a testimony to his memory. The
monument to his contribution to Irish history. This is the guide imparted that Michael Collin’s mysterious aura of
most captivating scene in the graveyard.
what might have been plays a huge role in his popularity.
Next, we saw the burial place Undoubtedly, the trip gave us an invaluable insight into the
of Charles Stewart Parnell. life and times of some of our much accredited republicans.
He was an MEP for Ireland This trip reinforced certain aspects of the Irish history
in the late 19th Century and programme. These historical friends seem so lively and
is a key personality on our energetic on the pages of our history books, but on that
course. He was buried on eerie day in Glasnevin, we left them at rest. “But let them be
a cholera plot in 1891, to there dead and gone” – W.B.Yeats.
reduce the threat of grave
snatchers. His funeral was one of the most attended of all Victoria Kells – Sixth Year History Student
time. Parnell reinvigorated the Home Rule party and gave
the Irish people a true voice in the 1880s. Despite his impact
on Irish politics, his resting place is marked by a simple
stone, bearing his surname. This is in stark contrast to the
commanding presence of the round tower.

The Royal Times 2011-2012 51