Saturday, January 31, 2015

Cavendish and Burke Cross, The Phoenix Park, Dublin



It is a little known white pebble cross which marks the exact spot where the newly appointed Chief Secreatry for Ireland Frederick Cavendish and the Permanent Undersecretary Thomas Henry Burke were assassinated in 1882 by a group calling themselves the Invincibles. It was a murder which shocked the British establishment. The ghost of Cavendish is said to still haunt the area.
The cross is very discreet and there does appear to be any political motivation for the lack of a proper monument. It is difficult to find. As you enter drive along the main thoroughfare through the main entrance it is on the left hand side just across from Áras an Uachtaráin, very close to a distance stone, bench and a tree.

My most sincere thanks to the park ranger who helped me track down this forgotten monument.



Below: The Vicregal Lodge, home of the Lord Lieutenant, Britain's representative to Ireland and today called Áras an Uachtaráin, the home of the Irish president.



1 comment:

  1. Very interesting - I had no idea that the spot was marked and will make a point of visiting it soon. Thanks for posting. It was the Kilmacduagh round tower that brought me to your blog.

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