Dundalk Famine Graveyard Service of Remembrance this weekend

The Dundalk Famine Graveyard annual service of remembrance will take place at Killally Famine Graveyard this Sunday August 11th at 5pm.

The Dundalk Famine Graveyard is regarded as one of the most important historical sites in Dundalk, and in County Louth, since it was restored over the past number of years by a group of dedicated local volunteers.

Located on the Ardee Road, it’s the resting place for over 4,000 people who died between 1850 and 1955. Most burials came from the local workhouse located at Hilltop on the Ardee Road which was eventually knocked down many years ago.

There are no headstones in the graveyard, just small marker stones marking where the mass graves were and white crosses stand marking individual graves.

Over the years the graveyard became neglected with vegetation destroying the walls that surrounded the graveyard. Over the past 20 years the volunteers have restored the graveyard walls and maintained the grass areas. The committee has ensured that a memorial service takes place annually and hopefully over the years proper road access will be sought for those visiting the cemetery.

The graveyard can be accessed via A91E76N or from Mcardle's Brewery on the Ardee Road or via the laneway across from Mount Hamilton sign.