Abbeystrewry Burial Pits

Overview

Just a short walk west of Skibbereen town centre, the Abbeystrowry burial pits form one of Ireland’s most powerful reminders of the Great Famine (1845‑1850). Nestled within the larger Abbeystrowry Cemetery, the unmarked grass plot beside the front wall of the graveyard holds the remains of between 8,000 and 10,000 men, women and children who perished from starvation, fever and disease. The site is free to visit and is open year‑round, offering a quiet space for reflection amid the rolling fields of West Cork.

History

The Famine Context

Skibbereen was one of the worst‑hit towns in Ireland during the Great Hunger. Between 1841 and 1851 the local population fell by 36.1 %, a decline driven by death and emigration. In March 1847 the town’s Relief Committee recorded 34‑40 deaths per day outside the workhouse, and by December 1849 the burial ground was still receiving around one hundred bodies each week.

The Mass Graves

The burial pits – locally known as “the pits” – were created in an acre of freshly turned earth on the north‑west corner of the cemetery. According to contemporary accounts, bodies were thrown in coffinless, often at night, with no priest, no ceremony and only a thin three‑inch layer of earth to cover them. Canon John O’Rourke (1874) described the scene as a “monster grave” where the dead were “thrown … hurried away by stealth”.

The Site’s Earlier Life

The cemetery itself dates back to the 13th century, originally the burial ground of a Cistercian abbey called Sancta Maura (Irish: Mainistir na Sruthra – “the Abbey of the Stream”). The medieval church fell into ruin, but the surrounding graveyard continued in use, expanding in the early 1800s when a new road (now the N71) cut through the landscape.

Memorialisation

In 1887 a stone monument was erected by local blacksmith Eugene McCarthy to honour the thousands buried in the pits. Five inscribed headstones stand beside the mass grave, each bearing moving quotations that echo the suffering of the era. Small stone stools placed opposite each memorial allow visitors to sit and contemplate the enormity of the loss.

Historical Significance

• Rev. Richard Boyle Townsend, rector of Abbeystrewry parish, championed famine relief; a plaque to his memory stands in the adjoining church.
• The 1847 Relief Committee letters recorded 35‑40 deaths per day outside the workhouse, while the workhouse itself saw 65 deaths per week.
• The Skibbereen Heritage Centre estimates 8,000‑10,000 famine victims lie in the pits – a figure echoed by several scholarly sources.

Commemoration and Cultural References

• The 1887 monument by Eugene McCarthy remains the focal point of the site.
• In 2009 Skibbereen hosted Ireland’s first National Famine Memorial Day, underscoring the town’s central role in remembering the Great Hunger.
• The tragedy is memorialised in the folk song “Dear Old Skibbereen” (also known as “The Skibbereen Song”), which recounts the famine’s impact on the community.
• The cemetery is a stop on the Skibbereen Heritage Trail, a self‑guided walking route that links the town’s historic sites.

What to See & Do

• The Grass Plot – The flat, green area beside the cemetery wall is the actual burial pit. While the ground is unmarked, the surrounding memorial stones give context and emotional weight.
• Memorial Stones – Five stone slabs, each with a poignant inscription, frame the plot. Take a moment to read the verses; they capture the despair and indignation of a people facing starvation.
• Stone Stools – Simple stone benches placed opposite each headstone invite quiet reflection.
• The 1887 Monument – A larger stone work by Eugene McCarthy commemorates the collective tragedy.
• Cemetery Architecture – Beyond the famine plot, the graveyard contains tombstones from many eras and the ruins of the medieval parish church, offering a broader sense of local history.
• Scenic Walk – The cemetery lies alongside the Ilen River and is a ten‑minute, pleasant walk from the Skibbereen Heritage Centre. The route follows the riverbank, providing gentle river views and a chance to absorb West Cork’s tranquil landscape.

Visiting Tips

• Accessibility – The path from the town centre to the pits is level and suitable for strollers and most wheelchairs, though the narrow on‑site parking lane can be tight.
• Parking – Limited spaces are available on a narrow road above the graveyard; recent council road‑widening works have added a few extra bays.
• Family‑friendly – The site is safe for children; the stone stools provide a place to sit while the short walk keeps younger visitors engaged.
• Quiet etiquette – As a solemn memorial, visitors are asked to keep noise to a minimum and respect the surrounding graves.

Practical Information

Getting There

• By Car: From the N71, turn onto the minor road leading to the cemetery. Follow signs for Abbeystrowry Graveyard. Parking is limited but improving; the council’s recent road‑widening project adds a few extra spaces.
• By Foot: From the Skibbereen Heritage Centre, follow the footpath along the Ilen River westward. The walk takes roughly ten minutes and is well‑marked.
• Public Transport: Skibbereen is served by regular Bus Éireann routes. The town centre stop is a short walk to the cemetery entrance.

Visitor Experience

The burial pits are not a traditional “tourist attraction” with guided tours or ticket counters; instead, they rely on the quiet power of the landscape and the memorial stones to convey their story. Visitors often spend a few minutes sitting on the stone stools, reading the inscriptions, and allowing the weight of history to settle. The site’s proximity to the Heritage Centre makes it easy to combine a deeper dive into the Famine narrative with a reflective walk through the graves.

Further Exploration

After visiting the pits, consider extending your day with:

• Skibbereen Heritage Centre – Interactive exhibits, audiovisual displays and a virtual tour of Famine sites.
• Knockomagh Hill – A short drive north offers a panoramic view over Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve.
• Local Markets – Every Friday, the Skibbereen Country Market sets up in Abbeystrewry Hall, providing a taste of West Cork’s crafts and produce.

The Abbeystrewry burial pits stand as a solemn testament to a dark chapter in Irish history. Their stark simplicity, combined with the surrounding historic cemetery, offers a moving experience for anyone seeking to understand the human cost of the Great Famine.