Survey Data
Reg No
50130089
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Grave monument
In Use As
Grave monument
Date
1865 - 1875
Coordinates
314762, 236870
Date Recorded
21/06/2018
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding two-stage limestone Gothic Revival monument, erected c. 1870, having rectangular base, plinth and open-fronted miniature chapel above. Steeply pitched limestone roof with pole-moulded ridge and three rows of fishscale carving, decorative cast-iron ridge crestings, sculpted cross finial to west and larger Celtic cross finial to east on raised cavetto-moulded verges. Limestone walling over rectangular base, plinth having memorial inscriptions to each face; stringcourse between stages, corner piers having plain panels to lower stage, and cusped lancet panels to upper stage with gabled pinnacles; trefoil panel with shield to east (front) apex. Pointed-arch window opening to west gable with chamfered reveal and sill and obscured glazing. Pointed-arch opening to front (east), with chamfered reveal. Interior has glazed encaustic tiled floor; miniature altar to rear on colonnettes (one missing) with carved leaf capitals over lozenge panel with alpha, omega and chi-ro, having sculpted cherub to front reading bible. Small paved enclosure to front, enclosed by cast-iron railings (partially missing).
Appraisal
A funerary memorial rather unusually designed in the form of a miniature mortuary chapel over a plinth. It presents a rather curious amalgam, with ornamentation clustered around the roof ridge, including a rather oversized Celtic cross finial, and the interior is distinguished by glazed encaustic tiles and a tiny altar. Despite the sober palette, there is an air of sentimentality to this memorial which is rather feminine in character, perhaps reflecting the initial dedication to a much loved wife, and subsequently memorializing other members of the Campbell family. It is a reminder of the individual personal and human loss behind all such memorials. The monument contributes to the stylistic variety of Glasnevin Cemetery, standing among a number of monuments of considerable architectural quality and craftsmanship. Originally known as Prospect Cemetery, the burial ground was opened in 1832 following a successful campaign by Daniel O'Connell, as a civic, non-denominational cemetery. It holds the graves and memorials of over one million people, including many notable citizens.