Survey Data
Reg No
50130092
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Mausoleum
In Use As
Mausoleum
Date
1920 - 1925
Coordinates
314677, 236893
Date Recorded
12/06/2018
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding gabled limestone Romanesque-revival mausoleum, dated 1921, containing sarcophagus of Cardinal William Walsh. Pitched scalloped limestone roof with pole-moulded ridge and cross finials. Roof canopy carried on arcade of three round-headed arches to long sides (east and west) and single-arch to short ends; each corner has cluster of four columns having ribboned shafts, foliate and scrolled capitals carrying studded frieze; central arch flanked by paired columns; spandrels carved with ribbons and shields; Archbishop's blazon to gables, flanked by palm leaf and ribbon. Triple stepped base having memorial inscription to north side. Interior has barrel-vaulted roof with interlaced carving to ribs; geometric tiled flooring; and centrally placed marble sarcophagus on plinth carved with clerical emblems, slab on scrolled guilloche brackets to corners, recumbent effigy of Cardinal McCabe on carved cushioned and tasselled slab raised on scrolled decorative pedestals and central winged cherub. Set in rectangular grassed enclosure with box hedge boundary. Located adjacent to south boundary of Glasnevin Cemetery.
Appraisal
A fine mausoleum containing the sarcophagus of Cardinal William Walsh (1841-1921), who was appointed Catholic Archbishop of Dublin in 1885, succeeding Archbishop McCabe, whose monument occupies the adjacent plot. His mausoleum was designed by John Joseph Robinson, best known as an architect of Catholic churches and founding partner, with Cyril Keefe, of the well-known Dublin architectural practice of Robinson Keefe Devane. The monument is in a modest Romanesque-revival style, distinguished by fine-quality stone and sculptural carving by leading Dublin sculptor Albert Power, to Robinson's designs. It forms a prominent group along with G.C Ashlin's McCabe Memorial and J.J. McCarthy's Mortuary Chapel, contributing to the architectural quality and variety of Glasnevin Cemetery. Walsh's politics were in contrast to his predecessor, as a strong supporter of the land agitation movement and of Charles Stewart Parnell. He studied under Cardinal Newman and was president of Maynooth College.