Exploring Our Foundations — Influenced by Charles Bianconi

The Mortuary Chapel in Boherlahan, where Charles Bianconi and his family are laid to rest, will open to the public for three days during National Heritage Week.
An Architectural Heritage Report on the building was prepared last year and restoration, including preservation of the Benzoni marble relief sculpture within, has commenced. Local guides will explain the ongoing work and point out the features of the Chapel and surrounding Park.
A memorial tree will be planted to mark this year’s 150th anniversary of the death of Charles Bianconi, the pioneer of public transport in Ireland, and a specially commissioned model of the Mortuary Chapel will be unveiled.
A professionally produced display about Bianconi’s life and times and the construction of the Chapel will be available for our visitors. We plan to have an Italian translation beside it for expected guests from Bianconi’s home town in Italy.
Also on show will be reminders of past commemorations and Bianconi memorabilia. We hope to have the original gates of the Chapel grounds on view as well.
Local actors in period attire will stage a dramatic presentation based on the life and times of the Bianconi family.
2025 is also the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell, The Liberator, who had a long friendship with Bianconi. We will host a public talk about their connection and the achievement of Catholic Emancipation.