CUSACK FAMILY VAULT

THE CUSACK VAULT - ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE AT MOUNT JEROME

Note: The smaller structure shown in some of the photographs is the Ingram Memorial and it consists of four Portland stone fluted columns with iconic capitals that support a canopy and a covering slab that house a Portland stone draped funerary urn on a pedestal. I will discuss this in greater detail in a future post.

The Cusack Vault

Location: Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland. It's situated along the 'Guinness Walk', a prominent path within the cemetery.
Construction Date: Erected in 1861.
Occupants: The vault was built for James William Cusack, a renowned surgeon of his time. He served as president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland three times and was surgeon to Queen Victoria in Ireland. Several generations of the Cusack family are interred within the vault.
Architectural Significance: It's considered one of the most prominent and imposing monuments in the cemetery due to its size and elaborate design. The use of high-quality materials like granite and Portland stone also contributes to its grandeur. The design, with its Tuscan columns and entablature, evokes classical temple architecture, symbolising permanence and grandeur.

The Cusack Family

The Cusacks were a prominent family in Dublin, particularly in the medical field.

James William Cusack (1788-1861): The patriarch interred in the vault, he was a leading surgeon and held significant positions in Dublin's medical institutions.
Other Notable Cusacks: While James William is the most well-known, other family members also achieved prominence in medicine and other fields. The family's influence in Dublin society is evidenced by the size and prominence of their vault.