Dundalk Famine Graveyard annual service of remembrance to take place

The Dundalk famine graveyard annual service of remembrance will take place at Killally Famine Graveyard on Sunday 10 August at 5pm.

The Dundalk famine graveyard is regarded as one of the most important historical sites in Dundalk and in Co 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 white crosses stand still 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.

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The committee has ensured that a memorial service takes place annually and hopes that over the years, proper road access will be sought for those visiting the cemetery.

The committee says it would like to thank the IDA and their contractors for maintaining the laneway and the landscaping down to the graveyard, so the public can enjoy the walk along Sidella down to the graveyard.

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