Survey Data
Reg No
50130082
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Grave monument
In Use As
Grave monument
Date
1885 - 1890
Coordinates
314721, 236890
Date Recorded
21/06/2018
Date Updated
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Description
Freestanding limestone and marble funerary monument, erected c. 1886 as burial place of Meade family, comprising chamfered plainly detailed square base with raised lettering 'St. Michael's Merrion Co. Dublin' to front; plinth having chamfered base supporting angled corner pedestals with sculpted angels flanking inset panels, front one having inscription with raised lettering, with round carved marble relief portrait above with laurel wreath surround and with raised inscription 'Family vault of Michael Meaded, J.P.'; inscription also to east face; polished grey granite column with vegetal ornament at intervals to base, fluted to lower half and polished to upper, with band of interlace with bosses between and having moulded string and stiff-leaf vegetal capital, topped by cornice having moulded base and dentil-like band; marble statue of Archangel Michael standing on chamfered base. Located over family vault on perimeter of O'Connell Monument.
Appraisal
A classically styled funerary monument erected over the family vault of the Meade family, one of a circular street of vaults surrounding the O'Connell Memorial, and as such, the most prestigious location within Glasnevin Cemetery. This is one of relatively few classical monuments among a great number of Celtic and Gothic style examples, and is characterized by robust carved limestone and granite detailing of notable craft quality, supporting a status of Archangel Michael with the maker's mark EO? Smyth Sculpt. Dublin. It is among a number of notable monuments of considerable architectural quality and craftsmanship within Glasnevin Cemetery. 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.