Survey Data
Reg No
32324001
Rating
National
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Graveyard/cemetery
In Use As
Graveyard/cemetery
Date
1840 - 1860
Coordinates
169716, 334591
Date Recorded
12/10/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Town cemetery, built c. 1850. Entered through gatescreen from public road to west, laid out on grid pattern in south-west to north-east direction with ground falling from upper cemetery with more elaborate grave markers to lower, much simpler, cemetery. Bitmac paths, grassed areas and shrubs between graves. Wide variety of grave markers, loculi and mausolea in stone, wrought- and cast-iron. Entrance screen with central pair of wrought iron carriage gates, flanked by moulded ashlar limestone piers, pedestrian gates and boundary fences on plinth walls terminating at north and south ends in ashlar piers. Rubble stone boundary walls to remainder of site. Gate lodge, to south-east of main entrance, separately recorded (32324002). Located on Dublin Road to south of town adjacent to Gaelic sports grounds.
Appraisal
This wonderful nineteenth century cemetery contains a cornucopia of funerary artefacts varying greatly in design and execution but all pointing to the wealth and prestige of many of the town's families particularly in the nineteenth century. Forming a picturesque landmark in the south outskirts of Sligo, its funerary artefacts attest to high quality craftsmanship, while its gate lodge, boundary walls and entrance screen form an attractive feature in the streetscape.