St. Nahi's, Dundrum

Some of the graveyards in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown illustrate perfectly the wealth of information that can be gleaned from headstones and other monuments. The first of these is St.Nahi's graveyard, located adjacent to the Dundrum-Churchtown Road.

The earliest headstone dates from 1734 and today there are 467 headstones with inscriptions in the graveyard. Over the years the graveyard has been extended and the infrastructure around it has also changed, today the Luas line runs near the site. Many of the stones have been subjected to weathering, although the remainder offer some interesting insights into the past.

Yeats Sisters' Grave

Susan (Lily) and Elizabeth (Lolly) are buried in the grounds of Churchtown Cemetery. They were involved with Dun Emer Industries in Dundrum, together with Evelyn Gleeson. The first book they published there was 'In the Seven Woods' by W.B. Yeats. In 1908 the sisters founded their own business Cuala Press. Lily was famous for her embroidery and won prizes for it.

Yeats Sisters' Grave

Susan (Lily) and Elizabeth (Lolly) are buried in the grounds of Churchtown Cemetery. They were involved with Dun Emer Industries in Dundrum, together with Evelyn Gleeson. The first book they published there was 'In the Seven Woods' by W.B. Yeats. In 1908 the sisters founded their own business Cuala Press. Lily was famous for her embroidery and won prizes for it.

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Perhaps the best -known figures to be buried here are the Yeats Sisters, Susan and Elizabeth known as Lily and Lolly. Lolly was to gain a reputation as an art teacher and a printer. She joined with Emer Gleeson in 1902 to work in Dun Emer Industries, providing girls with education in a range of skills including art, weaving embroidery and printing.

Lolly setup a printing business here and the first book published was In the Seven Woods by W.B.Yeats., who acted as editor of the publishing company. Jack Yeats illustrated some of the material printed, so the venture was family orientated.

Lily worked in Dun Emer also and was an embroideress. The Loughrea Cathedral banners are the most famous of the embroidered items, although four hang in St.Nahi's Church in Dundrum today.In 1908 the two sisters founded their own printing press known as Cuala Industries.

The business thrived and was in later years managed by the wife of W.B.Yeats, George, due to the sisters declining health. Cuala ceased production in 1946 and Lily died in 1949, buried with Lolly in St. Nahi's Graveyard.

Dr. Usher's Grave, Dundrum.

Sometimes people can have their lives touched by another human being. The people of Dundrum took Dr. Isaac William Usher to their hearts. He was a local G.P. killed by a car in 1917. The town erected a monument in his honour that remains standing to this day and due to legal restrictions cannot be moved.

Dr. Usher's Grave, Dundrum.

Sometimes people can have their lives touched by another human being. The people of Dundrum took Dr. Isaac William Usher to their hearts. He was a local G.P. killed by a car in 1917. The town erected a monument in his honour that remains standing to this day and due to legal restrictions cannot be moved.

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Another local resident buried there is Isaac William Usher. He was the local G.P. in the area and as such was widely respected. Dr. Usher lived in Laurel Lodge in Dundrum and had two children. His son was killed in the First World War and was buried in France.

A memorial was also erected to another person buried in the graveyard, Lorcan Mac Suibhne (Lawrence McSweeney). He was a member of the I.R.A., the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Dublin Brigade.

Lorcan Mac Suibhne (grave)

It is not only graves that are found in graveyards. Often memorials are erected to honour people who have contributed something to society or who have become famous or in some cases infamous. Lorcan Mac Suibhne (Laurence Sweeney) was a member of the Dublin Brigade of the I.R.A. in 1922. He was shot in an ambush near Castledermot and he was aged 21. A memorial was unveiled in his honour and a huge group of people gathered for the unveiling.

Lorcan Mac Suibhne (grave)

It is not only graves that are found in graveyards. Often memorials are erected to honour people who have contributed something to society or who have become famous or in some cases infamous. Lorcan Mac Suibhne (Laurence Sweeney) was a member of the Dublin Brigade of the I.R.A. in 1922. He was shot in an ambush near Castledermot and he was aged 21. A memorial was unveiled in his honour and a huge group of people gathered for the unveiling.

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Following a skirmish with troops from the National Army he was shot. The memorial to him was unveiled on 5th July 1925 by Eamon De Valera in the graveyard. It was supposed to have been the largest gathering witnessed there.