St James's Graveyard
CONSERVATION PROJECT
ST JAMES'S GRAVEYARD
Catholics and Protestants, bishops, earls, scholars, brewers, distillers and the ordinary people of Dublin all lie together in St James’s graveyard, a testimony to its long and varied history.
St James’s graveyard is about 1.5 acres in size and is the largest of the old Dublin City cemeteries. It is sited on the brow of the steep valley that lines the lower reaches of the Liffey. Over time, layers of burials have resulted in a complex landscape of archaeological significance. It holds a unique history with an estimated 60,000 - 100,000 burials on site.
With links to pre-Christian burial sites of 8th and 9th century Vikings, St James’s graveyard also remained the principal burial ground for both religious affiliations down through the centuries, those interred include the clergy of both catholic and protestant churches. The church was deconsecrated in 1963 with the last noted burial taking place in 1955.
HISTORY
The church of St James was founded in medieval times with its earliest documented reference dating back to 1268. The present St James's Church is the third church built on this site.
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
St James's Church has many customs and associations, one of the most significant being its connection to St James's pilgrimage; the Camino de Santiago.
BURIALS & GRAVES
Learn more about who is buried here, what types of memorials are found in the graveyard and what these gravestones can tell us about Dublin's social history.
ECOLOGY & BIODIVERSITY
Graveyards can provide an important refuge for wildlife, particularly in built up urban areas such as the lands that surround St James’s Church. Learn more about what biodiversity can be found in the graveyard here.
MAPS & RESOURCES
Find old historic maps of the area surrounding St James's Church and other relevant resources about the graveyard including the outcomes of the FÁS survey conducted in 1988.
GENEALOGY
A list of resources and websites to help you discover more about your genealogy and connection to those buried at St James's Graveyard.