New book tells 900-year story of St James's Church and Graveyard

Genealogist and lecturer Sean J Murphy has published another book: A History of St James's Church and Graveyard. This Dublin burial ground was once the capital's largest inner city graveyard, with an estimated total of 100,000 individuals interred from the 12th century to 1989.

Founded back in 1189–92, the church and burial ground has an intriguing history. It was named for the saint said to be buried in Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and over the past 900 years has become the final resting place of many celebrated/famous people.

The church building closed as a place of worship in 1963 and, following refurbishment and conversion, is now home to the Pearse Lyons Distillery, while the cemetery surrounding and behind it has long been overgrown and inaccessible. Now in the care of Dublin City Council, it is currently being restored and will (hopefully) be reopened the public.

Sean's 180-page book is published by Kilmainham Tales. It costs €12:50 plus postage and packaging, direct from the publisher. For further details, and P&P-inclusive prices to other regions, click the book's cover picture, right.

ISBN: 978-1-908056-89-4