The Shankill Graveyard is one of the oldest cemeteries in
Belfast
Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdo ...
, Northern Ireland.
It was used for active burials for more than 1,000 years.
Since 1958 it has no longer been an active burial site. The oldest standing headstone was erected to the memory of George McAuley who died in 1685. The gateways and railings are
listed
Listed may refer to:
* Listed, Bornholm, a fishing village on the Danish island of Bornholm
* Listed (MMM program), a television show on MuchMoreMusic
* Endangered species in biology
* Listed building, in architecture, designation of a historicall ...
as being of historic and architectural interest.
In 1872, at the corner of Shankill and Woodvale Road, St Matthew’s Church of Ireland was reconstructed.
St Matthews Church takes its name from the very first church that was built in the Shankill Graveyard.
Notable burials
* Ambrose Sterling from North Belfast was buried in the Shankill Graveyard. Ambrose had been refused entry into the army at age 14, however he enlisted into
Royal Flying Corps
"Through Adversity to the Stars"
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in 1918. While serving in France he died due to the flu.
Reference list
External links
Video tour of the Graveyard by the SASH Group*
* ''Includes "Exterior Description And Setting" and "Historical Information" section.''
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Cemeteries in Belfast