Photographed By William Murphy - Select Image To View Photographs

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ACCESS IS LIMITED

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The Limerick City and County Council keeps the gates locked to protect the fragile 18th and 19th-century headstones from further damage. For photographers and historians, gaining entry often requires a "lucky" visit or direct coordination with the Council. My own attempts to revisit in 2021 were met with locked gates, making the images captured during my 2019 visit all the more precious as a record of this sanctuary.

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St John’s Church of Ireland: A Silent Sentinel in John’s Square

Nestled in the heart of Limerick, the St John’s Church of Ireland churchyard offers a poignant glimpse into the city’s medieval and Victorian past. While often overshadowed by the nearby St John’s Cathedral, this site carries a distinct history, standing on ground that has been hallowed since the 1200s.

The current structure, a striking example of Neo-Gothic architecture, was designed by the celebrated Irish architect Joseph Welland and constructed between 1843 and 1852. It replaced an earlier medieval church, though the perimeter walls—built in 1693 following the damage of the Siege of Limerick—still stand as a testament to the city’s turbulent military history.

A New Life: From Worship to Waltz After falling into disuse in the early 1970s, the church was deconsecrated and handed over to the Limerick Corporation (now Limerick City and County Council) in 1975. However, the building did not stay silent for long.

In the early 2000s, it became the creative home of the Daghdha Dance Company. Following extensive restoration, the interior was transformed into a world-class performance space. Today, the building is managed by Dance Limerick, serving as a vibrant hub for contemporary dance and professional artists. While the exterior retains its somber, ecclesiastical gravity, the interior is now a space of movement and light.

Notable Residents and "VIPs" The graveyard is a historical record of Limerick’s merchant class and literary history. Among those buried here are:

Brian Merriman (c. 1747–1805): Local tradition holds that the famous Gaelic poet and author of the satirical masterpiece Cúirt an Mheán Oíche (The Midnight Court) is buried here.

The Russell Family: Giants of 19th-century industry, the Russells operated the largest mills in Limerick and were instrumental in the city's commercial expansion.

Jeremiah Hall: A notable architect who died in 1831, whose work contributed to the fabric of the city.

Preservation and Access

Despite its historical importance, the graveyard is no longer active for new burials and has frequently suffered from vandalism and anti-social behaviour. This unfortunate reality is the primary reason for its limited access.

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Photographed By William Murphy - Select Image To View Photographs