Old Burial Ground Delgany

Lailli De Buitlear recounting the history of the Old Burial Ground in Delgany

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Old Burial Ground Delgany

Sheena Gogerty

This video of Lailli De Buitlear recounting the history of the Old Burial Ground was created in August 2019 by local filmmaker Robin Kavanagh. It was funded by Delgany Tidy Towns.  Lailli has been curator of the Burial Ground for many years and she is largely responsible for the lovely green space that exists there now. In the video she delivers a detailed history on all aspects of the Burial Ground while delivering some fascinating insights into local history.

The Old Burial Ground is an early Christian settlement dating back to the 7th century. Delgany’s medieval relic, a monumental high cross stands here, head missing, standing granite shaft with inscription of a prayer survives.

The ruins of the 13th century church, which was used until 1789 and the baptismal font can still be seen. St. Moghoróg, a contemporary of St. Augustine, is reputed to have had a religious cell here in the 6th century. It is recorded that he attended St. Kevin on his death bed in Glendalough in 618.

Tombstones throughout the burial ground, all ranging from the 1700’s are mostly in limestone and Wicklow granite and all tombstones face east and are easier to read at 12 noon.