Irish National War Memorial Gardens

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Irish National War Memorial Gardens,

"Fancy a stroll around beautifully designed gardens near Dublin City"

Photo: Taken by me

The memorial gardens built to honour the Irish lives lost during World War One were created by the well-known architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. They are a masterwork of landscape and architectural design.Situated at Island bridge,  the gardens are on the southern bank of the River Liffey. This site was picked because of its beautiful  views of the river and the surrounding landscape.A calm and reflective ambiance is created as it is hidden away from busy roads and the bustling city.Views from within the space are captured threw tree line promenades and a series of levelled terraces that slow your movement threw the space allowing time for reflection.From the river side you can see up to the Phoenix Park and the Wellington Testimonial Monument. Today it is a vibrant public park that locals use in many forms, as you walk threw the space you can see many rowers go by at speed on the Liffey. 

After World War I, the memorial gardens were designed as a way to pay tribute to the more than 49,000 Irish soldiers who lost their lives in the war. When the British government announced in 1919 that it would provide funding for a memorial to be built in Dublin, Lutyens was hired to design it.

Renowned for his contributions to war memorials like the Thiepval Memorial in France and the Cenotaph in London, Lutyens envisioned a calm and reflective area that would be a suitable remembrance of those who died. His Irish National War Memorial Gardens design combines traditional forms with symbolic themes, drawing inspiration from classical and Celtic Revival architecture.

Located at the heart of the gardens is the Stone of Remembrance, a massive granite monolith bearing the inscription "Their name liveth for evermore".This impactful inscription captures the spirit of sacrifice and remembering. A subterranean rose garden encircling the Stone of Remembrance represents the beauty and fleeting nature of life.

Two granite Book rooms flanking the rose garden adorned with doric columns and pediments, hold the names, arranged in alphabetical order per regiment, of Irish troops who fought and died in World War I. By offering a physical link to the past, these book rooms enable guests to show their respects while reflecting on the human cost of war.


The gardens' carefully planned architectural form aims to inspire grandeur and serenity. To achieve a sense of harmony and balance in the area, Lutyens used axial alignments and geometric symmetry. The utilisation of  Irish materials, such granite and limestone, strengthens the bond with the region and its inhabitants.The Celtic cross, which represents Irish identity and spirituality, appears frequently in the gardens' architectural design a symbol of our strong nation.To achieve a harmonic balance between architectural components and natural settings, famous landscape gardener Gertrude Jekyll collaborated closely with Lutyens. The garden design was both visually beautiful and ecologically sustainable, with a wide variety of plant species that were carefully picked to flourish in the Irish climate.

TheWar Memorial Gardens have been a site of pilgrimage and contemplation for many tourists and locals since its completion in 1939. The gardens not only pay tribute to the fallen warriors but also serve as a constant reminder of the long-lasting effects that conflict has on communities and countries.It is a living reminder of the Irish people's persistence and spirit, as well as a memorial to those who gave their lives in defence of freedom and harmony.

A great place to visit near by the Gardens to combine your trip with a great coffee spot, is in Chapelizod a spot called Baabaa Cafe doing the best breakfast and coffee in the area.You can walk all the way along the river Liffey to Chapelizod.

#Irishtourism #Dublin #visitdublin

Thanks for reading as always, hope you enjoy this space as much as I do.
Love from Dublin Subculture.
Eva 

Comments

  1. Anonymous30 March 2024 at 15:36

    A very underrated and forgotten part of Dublin, but so important to our history.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous31 March 2024 at 16:04

    This is a very important spot in the history of Dublin. For those who do not know, it is a very interesting place to visit, especially for non-Irish people who value the culture and history of the place they are visiting.

    ReplyDelete

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