GLASNEVIN CEMETERY IS calling on the public to bring their First World War artefacts to a free ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style valuation event this weekend.

The cemetery will have some of Ireland’s leading auctioneers and historians on site to appraise the memorabilia, and is hoping for donations to its museum for an exhibition that will kick off at the start of July to mark the centenary of the war.

It follows on from a similar event held for items from the War of Independence period.

Items donated on that occasion included:

A German-made Mauser rifle landed aboard the Asgard in 1914, which was retrieved from Sean O’Casey’s house on the East Wall Road
Roger Casement’s personal bible from 1915
An inscribed shell which was being carried by Casement when he was arrested at Banna Strand in 1915
The original Volunteer’s tunic of Dinny FitzPatrick
Relevant pieces from the Great 1913 Lockout tapestry

Pics: Some of the items donated after the last valuation day

Bullets, bibles and rifles: Glasnevin Cemetery wants to value your First World War artefacts

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A War of Independence tunic
A Bullet washed ashore from the Asgard
A German Mauser rifle

Chairman of the Glasnevin Trust John Green said: “There are hundreds if not thousands of World War One artefacts currently residing in the homes of people nationwide, many of whom have either little or no knowledge of what the artefacts may represent or their monetary value.”

He continued: “This is a golden opportunity for anyone looking to find out the story behind their precious historical artefacts. We hope everyone across Ireland will dig deep into their attics and cupboards and bring along any memories of the time.”

The event is being run today and tomorrow from 1pm to 5pm.

Column: Glasnevin historian Shane MacThomais was a tireless champion of those forgotten by our history books>

Trust seeking designs for Glasnevin’s 1916 memorial>

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