A €25 million redevelopment of Glasnevin Cemetery to honour the State's "national heroes and personalities" has been announced by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The 10-year project - which will complement other work being undertaken as part of preparations for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising - would reflect the fact that Glasnevin Cemetery and its history were at the heart of our modern nation, Mr Ahern said yesterday. As part of the investment, a heritage and interpretative centre will be built, providing facilities for people to research both their family and national history. The plan will also involve: Reintegrating the historic covering stones over the graves of the "Forgotten 10" into a memorial designed by artist Robert Ballagh; Restoring protected structures in the cemetery, including the O'Connell tower and mortuary chapel, as well as graves of architectural importance.
