Tour of the Franciscan Abbey Church Graveyard, Tuesday 18 August 2026, 2.00pm

Tour of the Franciscan Abbey Church Graveyard

Date: Tuesday 18 August 2026
Time: 2.00pm
Meeting Point: Front Door, Franciscan Abbey Church
St. Francis Street, Galway City
H91 C53K

Join local historian Ian Brophy for a fascinating Heritage Week tour of one of Galway City’s most hidden and historic graveyards, located in the peaceful grounds behind the Franciscan Abbey Church on St. Francis Street.

This remarkable burial ground contains over 70 memorials, many dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, while some of the oldest gravestones can be traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries. These memorials provide a unique connection to Galway’s past and to the Franciscan community, whose original friary was founded in 1296 by William de Burgo near the site of the present-day Galway Courthouse.

During this guided tour, Ian will explore the history of the Franciscans in Galway and introduce visitors to a selection of the graveyard’s most significant memorials. Along the way, he will share stories of the people commemorated here and explain what these monuments reveal about the social, religious and cultural history of the city.

Often overlooked by both visitors and locals, this tranquil graveyard is home to some of Galway’s finest surviving examples of historic funerary art and stone carving. Each memorial offers a fascinating glimpse into centuries of life, faith and remembrance in the city.

Whether you have an interest in local history, genealogy, architecture or heritage, this tour offers a rare opportunity to discover an important but little-known part of Galway’s story.

Please arrive by 1.50pm and meet outside the front door of the Franciscan Abbey Church.