Care of Creation Group Visits Glasnevin Cemetery & Botanic Gardens, Dublin
Kilmore Care of Creation Group Visits Glasnevin Cemetery and Botanic Gardens, Dublin
Celebrating our third anniversary, members of the Kilmore Care of Creation Group undeterred by the somewhat relenting but at the same time welcomed ‘warm rain’ visited “Ireland’s largest burial place, a beautifully restored garden cemetery featuring epic monuments of our past on a 124 acre site. Founded in 1832, the cemetery contains 1.5 million people who are faithfully preserved.”
From the ordinary to the extraordinary, we heard the stories of those who shaped our nation’s history as they were brought to life. You could have heard a pin drop as Niamh, our expert guide shared their stories, their unique experiences, their joys and their sorrows.
The Indoor Exhibitions “Extra-ordinary Lives” and the “City of the Dead” were both fascinating and really required more time to be truly enjoyed. Even the sensory lighting in the downstairs “City of the Dead” created an ambience which communicated that life is but a moment. “Imbued with social, cultural and historical significance it’s no wonder the place has earned the title Ireland’s National Cemetery.”
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. (Psalms 39:4-7, 12)
Founded in 1975 and located on a 19.5 hectare site, the National Botanic Gardens, a premier scientific institution contains more than 16,000 plant species and cultivars from habitats around the world with over 300 endangered plant species, 6 of which are already extinct in the wild. The beautifully restored and planted historic glasshouses are simply stunning. Our expert tour guide, Tim, was amazing and so patient with the hundred and one questions we were asking him. He delivered a bespoke educational and interactive tour where we had the opportunity to deepen our knowledge, understanding and experience of various plant and tree species, mixed and long border planting and their conservation work to name but a few. Ireland contains approximately 940 naturally occurring native plant species. Their ‘Wild Ireland’ area is truly inspiring and allows a glimpse into the “plant communities that can be seen in Ireland’s woodland, grasslands, bogland, wetland and coastal natural landscapes.” Again, the Botanic gardens has much to offer in terms of social, cultural and historical significance. Our beautiful earth has so much to teach us! The land communicates to us a spiritual and primordial story. Every plant, every tree, every insect, every bird, the air we breathe… all is grace filled gifts from our Creator.
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. (Gen. 1:11)
For more information:
The New Jerusalem Bible: Darton, Longman, Todd (1985)