Stumbling stones in memory of Irish Holocaust victims unveiled

Six Stolpersteine, or stumbling stones, in memory of Irish victims of the Holocaust have been unveiled in Dublin.

Stolpersteine are laid in pavements outside apartment buildings, houses, and other buildings in almost 2,000 places in Europe.

The small square brass plaques contain a name, date of birth, date and circumstances of death.

The first Irish stumbling stones were embedded at St Catherine’s National School in south Dublin by their creator, German artist Gunter Demnig.

Founding trustee of the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland, Lynn Jackson, explained that in the early 20th century Ireland had a Jewish population of around 5,000 people and the area around the South Circular Road and Portobello in Dublin was once known as “Little Jerusalem” as there was a vibrant Jewish community there.

Jackson said that the stones will commemorate six Irish victims of the Holocaust: Ettie Steinberg Gluck, her husband Wojteck Gluck, and their baby son Leon, along with Isaac Shishi, Ephraim Saks and his sister, Jeanne (Lena) Saks.

“It’s important to remember their lives, not their deaths, but their lives, and to name them and where they lived and what happened to them”, she said.

Speaking at the unveiling of Ireland’s first Stolpersteine, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said: “This meaningful memorial will allow these stories to pass through generations and will let us bear witness to their personal experiences of the Holocaust.

“The Stolpersteine at St Catherine’s National School will play an important role in helping us to remember the Irish Holocaust victims and to reflect on the ideologies and events that led to the loss of so many lives.”

Councillor Mary Callaghan, representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland, added: “The Stolpersteine project is the largest de-centralised memorial in the world with more than 90,000 memorial stumble stones in 27 countries around the world.

“We are proud that Dublin city is now part of this ever-growing remembrance project.”

The Stolpersteine were unveiled by the HETI, Dublin City Council, the artist and the German Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Cord Meier-Klodt.

There are over 90,000 Stolpersteine in 27 countries.

related

Subscribe to the EJC newsletter

Get the EJC newsletter, including the latest statements and news from the European Jewish communities, direct to your inbox.

European Jewish Congress will use the information you provide on this form to contact you. We will treat your information with respect and will not share it with others. By clicking Subscribe, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

browse by community