Irish National War Memorial Gardens, War memorial park in Islandbridge, Ireland
Irish National War Memorial Gardens is a memorial park in Dublin featuring sunken rose gardens, terraces, and four granite structures that hold illuminated records with soldiers' names inscribed within them. The site spreads across landscaped grounds that overlook the River Liffey.
The memorial park was created to honor around 49,400 Irish soldiers who died during World War I, when over 300,000 from the island served across different Allied forces. The site underwent a complex journey from construction to public opening.
The site honors soldiers from across the Irish community who served in different armies during the conflict. You can sense this shared remembrance through the quiet spaces designed for reflection.
The gardens are located roughly three kilometers from central Dublin and feature paved pathways that make walking easy throughout the grounds. Plan for a quiet visit where you can move at your own pace through the landscaped areas.
The memorial remained closed to the public for over 50 years after completion due to political complications that eventually resolved. This delayed opening makes the site a distinctive record of how remembrance can take time to be shared openly.
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