Historic graveyards are an extremely important part of our heritage and contribute greatly to our sense of place. They not only contain the remains of our ancestors, but also significant archaeological and architectural features, and they are a haven for wildlife. For this reason, many of our historic graveyards are Recorded Monuments, listed on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP).
Information on many of the pre 1700 AD burial ground is available on www.archaeology.ie. You can search or query the data in the Historic Environment Viewer by county, town, townland and monument class (type) e.g. ‘Graveyard’ or ‘Children’s burial ground’.
Historic Graveyards are protected by law and consent is required from the National Monuments Service before any works can be undertaken.
If you are planning to undertake works in an historic graveyard you can also contact the Heritage Office for advice. General advice on the care and conservation of Historic Graveyards is available at the links below:
Care and Conservation of Historic Graveyards Guidance Booklet
Database of Mayo’s Burial Grounds
In 2010, Mayo County Council Heritage Office, with support from the Heritage Council, undertook an audit of all the burial grounds in Mayo. Information on the burials, ownership, condition and status of each burial ground was recorded.
The Mayo Burial Ground Survey Database is currently being updated and will be available to view here shortly.