Dublin historian brings cemeteries to life

EVER wondered where the phrase a

‘dead ringer’ comes
from, why we wear black to a funeral or who was the first person to be killed
in the Easter Rising?

A new book titled Dead Interesting by author,
historian and proud Northsider Shane MacThomais has all the answers.

The fascinating book was launched by Senator David
Norris last week in Glasnevin Cemetery Museum where Shane has worked as
historian and tour guide since 1998.

The popular local grew up on Wadelai Road in Glasnevin
and is a regular contributor to Northside People with his hugely popular and
thought provoking Dead Interesting column.

His latest work features quirky and easy to digest
facts about the origins of our burial traditions, phrases and a whole host of
interesting stories about the ordinary and well-known figures buried in
Glasnevin Cemetery.

It’s been a labour of love for Shane who is following
in the footsteps of his famous father, author broadcaster and Dublin historian
Eamon MacThomais.

“This has been both a professional and personal
journey for me,

? he explained.

“I grew up surrounded by history through my father so
it was a natural progression to do what I’m doing today.

“It’s nice to be able to carry on the family tradition
and that love of history.

“It was important for me that this book wouldn’t be a
heavy, serious, historical tomb. I wanted it to be accessible history that
everybody could get something out of.

?

The 48 chapters of Dead Interesting is the culmination
of 18 months of painstaking work trawling through the archives of Glasnevin
Cemetery, old newspapers and museums both in Ireland and abroad.

“It was an amazing learning experience for me,

? Shane
told Northside People.

“The greatest story I learned was of a UVF soldier who
is buried alongside the Republicans in the cemetery.

“His body was found in the barracks two days before
the rebellion broke out. It was taken to the Coroner’s Office and because of
the rebellion it mistakenly got put in with all the bodies of the volunteers
and citizen army that died while fighting.

?

The book also includes reams of quirky facts about the
origins of many phrases and traditions including the reason why we wear black
to funerals.

“It stems back from our pagan tradition when people
believed that their spirit could be mistakenly taken at a funeral,

? Shane
explained.

“It wouldn’t have been the norm to dress in such dark
colours at that time but they did so to disguise the human form.

?

All proceeds from the book will go towards the upkeep
of graves in Glasnevin Cemetery. The book is available in all good bookshops
and online on www.glasnevinmuseum.ie and Amazon with an e-version due to be
released in the coming weeks.