ST CATHERINE'S GRAVEYARD

ST CATHERINE'S GRAVEYARD PARK BEHIND THE CHURCH ON THOMAS STREET

St Catherine’s Graveyard Park also includes a sculpture, Adult & Child Seat by the artist Jim Flavin (1961 – 2004).


Having been advised that the park has recently been restored I was more than a bit disappointed to discovered the gates were locked when I visited today.

St. Catherine's Park was formerly a cemetery which dates back to 1552. The whole area is steeped in history and is well remembered for Robert Emmet's execution in front of the church on Thomas Street in 1803. Burials ceased in 1894 and the cemetery was handed over to Dublin Corporation in 1969.

There is a plot which was provided by the Protestant Orphan Society for the burial of orphans, in the churchyard. There is a memorial to those took part in the 1803 Rising, and where hanged, some were hanged on Thomas Street

St. Catherine's Church was originally built in 1185. It is located on what was once termed the "Slí Mhór" (Irish: Great Way), a key route that ran westwards across Ireland from Dublin. The church was rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century by John Smyth.

The church closed in 1966 due to a decrease in the size of the local congregation. The building was de-consecrated the following year, and for a period was used by Dublin Corporation for exhibitions and concerts. After a period of decline, and later of refurbishment, St. Catherine's was re-consecrated and has been the place of worship for the Anglican "CORE" church (City Outreach for Renewal and Evangelism) since then.