The Dublin tower has been off-limits to the public since 1971.
The O’Connell Tower at Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum has been officially reopened.
Visitors to Glasnevin Cemetery can now climb the newly installed staircase within the Tower and enjoy a truly unique and spectacular view of Dublin not seen since 1971.
The reopening of the iconic structure was marked by the laying of a time capsule at the base of the tower by students from the local O’Connell School in Glasnevin.
The O’Connell Tower was closed in 1971 when a large bomb exploded at its base. The blast shot up through the tower, destroying its staircase and blowing out its windows. The force was such that it resulted in a large crack that spread up through its granite. This crack can still be seen today.
The explosion also smashed the windows of houses opposite the cemetery. Despite this, however, the only casualty was one pigeon that had been roosting within the tower. The net result was the unfortunate destruction of the towers staircase and the closure of the tower and crypt to any visitors. Nobody was convicted for the bombing.
The tower was built between 1855 and 1869 and commemorates the man who had established Glasnevin cemetery in 1832.
The newly installed 198 step staircase in the O’Connell Tower is comprised of a wrought iron spiral staircase followed by hand-carved wooden steps. The top of this iconic Dublin tower provides a 360-degree panorama affording breathtaking views to the north, south, east and west across all of Dublin, Meath, Wicklow and the Irish Sea.
Commenting on the re-opening of the tower, Chairman of the Glasnevin Trust, John Green said: “The reinstatement of the stairs in the O’Connell tower will allow us to experience the full magnificence of this mausoleum. Of course, we remember O’Connell through the bridges, streets, and squares named after him, but as we approach the centenary of the founding of our state we must remember how important O’Connell is in our nationhood.”
Admission to the tower is a ticketed event only. Tickets go on sale from today, 13th April 2018, and are available here. Tours begin tomorrow, 14th April 2018.
Initially, tours will run between 1pm-3pm with six-eight visitors per tour which run every ten minutes, so please check the website for times as capacity on each tour is limited. Tour times will be extended following an initial trial period. Booking is essential.
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