A new Civil War monument in honour of the National Army soldiers who died was unveiled in Glasnevin Cemetry today. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Micheál Martin revealed the monument, the first to be dedicated specifically to those on the pro-Treaty side who died during the Civil War. 

The Defence Forces also rededicated the National Army plot at Glasnevin Cemetry today. 

Approximately 800 soldiers died in the Civil War, with at least 183 buried in the cemetery. 

The event also marked the introduction of a new interactive digital system of all the known dead in the National Army. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and Tánaiste Micheál Martin unveil the monument at a ceremony to rededicate the National Army Monument in Glasnevin Cemetery, 30/07/2023. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen McDonald told Newstalk archiving deaths during the Civil War can be a complicated and difficult process. 

“It can be difficult to categorise casualties in conflicts because of the fact that some people die after conflict as a result of wounds,” he said. 

“What's significant about today as well is that we're revealing for the very first time, a roll of honour of those men - they're all men because women weren't serving as combatants at the time.” 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar inspects the Guard of Honour before attending a ceremony to rededicate the National Army Monument in Glasnevin Cemetery, 30/07/2023. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Great-great-niece of pro-Treaty soldier Christopher Kearns Rose O’Keeffe said Mr Kearns was 18 when he joined the National Army. 

“He made few sandwiches, just wrapped them in the newspaper, off he went, and they never saw him after,” she said. 

Mr Kearns died in October 1922 in an ambush in Ferrycarrig, Co Wexford. 

“Four hand grenades were thrown into the army truck,” Ms O’Keeffe explained. 

She said her family are “proud” to be included in the memorial for National Army soldiers.