Cemetery Sunday at Bohermore, Forthill and Rahoon

What to Expect

Cemetery Sunday is the day when Galway families return to the graves of relatives for Mass, prayers and the blessing of graves. The Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora has set three separate dates for the city’s cemeteries in 2026. Bohermore Cemetery comes first, with Mass at 11:00 AM on Sunday 16 August and benediction later the same day at 4:30 PM. Forthill Cemetery follows on Sunday 23 August with Mass at 12:15 PM, and Rahoon Cemetery closes the sequence on Sunday 13 September at 12 noon.

The pattern is a long-standing one across Irish parishes. Plots are tidied and planted in the run-up, then the community gathers among the graves for an open-air liturgy rather than a church service. Nothing is ticketed and nothing needs to be booked, and it is common for relatives living abroad to time a trip home around the date. Because the ceremonies happen outdoors they go ahead in whatever weather the day brings, so warm layers and rain gear are sensible. Each of the three cemeteries has its own date, so a family with graves in more than one will attend more than once across the late summer.

Good to Know

• Bohermore Cemetery: Sunday 16 August 2026, Mass at 11:00 AM, benediction at 4:30 PM.
• Forthill Cemetery: Sunday 23 August 2026, Mass at 12:15 PM.
• Rahoon Cemetery: Sunday 13 September 2026, at 12 noon.
• Free to attend. No tickets and no advance booking.
• Held outdoors among the graves, so bring rain gear and something to sit on.
• Dates are published by the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora through Galway Cathedral.

Getting There

Bohermore Cemetery is on Bohermore, the old Dublin road out of the city centre, roughly a ten minute walk from Eyre Square and on the city bus corridor heading east towards Renmore and Castlepark. Forthill Cemetery sits off Lough Atalia Road on the eastern side of the docks, close to Ceannt Station and the bus and rail terminus. Rahoon Cemetery is west of the city off the Rahoon Road, near Knocknacarra and reachable from the N6 and the Seamus Quirke Road. On-street parking near all three fills early on the day, so allow extra time or walk the last stretch.