february-top.html
1832 On this day in in 1832, eleven year old Michael Carey was the first person to be buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.
Daniel O’Connell founded the Prospect Cemetery at Glasnevin in 1832 – he wanted it to be a burial ground for anyone whatever their religion or status in life.
The first person to be buried here was Michael Carey (11 years old) who died of tuberculosis (consumption) – his father was a manual labourer. Michael Carey has a plain stone which marks the site of his resting place (next to the original gate of the cemetry). It bears the inscription;
“Beneath lie the remains of Michael – the beloved son of Michael Carey of Francis St who was the first ever interred in this cemetery 22nd February 1832″
There are countless prominent people from Irish history buried in the cemetery and it has become a major attraction for tourists visiting Dublin.
The key figures in the Easter Rising including Roger Casement and Constance Markievicz, and major politicians such as Charles Parnell, Daniel O’Connell and Éamon de Valera are just a few. The cemetery is also the resting place for Irish heroes of the past, such as Michael Collins and Kevin Barry, as well as great entertainers including writer Brendan Behan and musician Luke Kelly.
There have been more than 1.5 million people buried in Glasnevin Cemetery since 1832.
Click here to read more about Glasnevin Cemetery
Click here to read more about the Easter Rising
Click here to read more about Irish history
Click here to read more about Brendan Behan and his quotes
Click here to read more about Luke Kelly
* * *
1921 Cecil King was born in County Wicklow on this day in 1921. He was an abstract painter and his work can be found in The Tate Gallery in London as well as Dublin City University. Below is Intrusion – Red painting in 1974 by Cecil King.
* * *
1965 Elizabeth Bowen, a novelist and short story writer from Dublin, died on this day in 1965. She was a prolific writer throughout her career across numerous genres such as fiction, non-fiction and children’s stories.
Her 1929 novel, The Last September, was made into a film at the end of the 20th century starring Sir Michael Gambon and David Tennant.
The Last September film made in 1999. This is part 1. See the other parts here.
.
* * *
1965 Happy birthday to Kieren Fallon, born in County Clare on this day in 1965. Fallon was one of the top flat jockeys of his generation in both Britain and Ireland.
He has ridden winners in the most prestigious races on the tour. The 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the English and Irish Derby are just a few of the major races he won on more than one occasion.
february-bottom.html
