Tucked in nature. Steeped in history. Grounds to explore

The slow, winding mountain road to Glencree sets the tone for what is to come.

Follow the gentle sweep of the avenue into our peace campus as it introduces a marriage of history and nature unlike any other. These 16 acres of grounds, with 200 years of history – for the most part turbulent until peace finally descended 50 years ago – offer a place to explore, a place in nature, a place of peace.


Points of Interest on our Grounds


Glencree in History Series

Our series of videos with local historian Frank Tracy takes us through the chapters of Glencree’s rich history before it became home to the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.

This Glencree in History video series features 5 chapters in our local history including:

  • The Glencree Valley
  • The Building of the Glencree Barracks & Military Road
  • The Years of St. Kevin’s Reformatory School
  • Post World War II Operation Shamrock
  • The German Military Cemetery at Glencree
Click on the image to view the videos in this series.

German Military Cemetery

A short stroll from the Glencree Peace campus, is a stark reminder of the devastation of the First and Second World Wars. Set in a landscaped quarry, the German Military Cemetery is one of the many German war cemeteries in Western Europe. The bodies of 134 German military servicemen and civilians are buried here including Luftwaffe (Airforce) personnel, regular naval personnel (Kriegmarine), those who engaged in the ‘secret side of war’, German civilians who were being transported to Canada on ‘The Arandora Star’ when it was torpedoed by a German submarine, as well as six soldiers of the First World War who died while in a British prisoner of war camp based in Ireland from 1915-1918.

Just inside the wrought iron gated entrance, a poem by Professor Stan O’Brien, a dedicated supporter of the Irish-German Society, set in polished stone, captures the poignancy of this quiet resting ground. A pathway leads to the ‘Hall of Honour’, a place of reflection and prayer. Just beyond the Hall the gravestones are laid out in eight gently curved arcs, while a mosaic Pieta, designed by Berlz, the Munich born painter, adorns the interior wall. Set on a height above the cemetery is a fine Celtic cross.

parallax background

Find out more

Enjoy the hospitality of the Armoury Café, find out how our peace & reconciliation work is supported by the Glencree Visitors' Centre (GVC), and discover some local walks & hikes.