Annual Cemetery Blessings, Clogherhead

What to Expect

Cemetery Sunday, or the blessing of the graves, is one of the biggest days in the parish year along this stretch of the Louth coast, and the Clogherhead ceremonies fall on Sunday 16 August 2026. There are two separate blessings on the day: The Mullagh cemetery at 3pm, followed by St Denis’ cemetery at 4.30pm. Families come home for it from all over the country and beyond, and graves are usually tidied, weeded and freshly planted in the days beforehand.

The ceremony itself is short and outdoors. Prayers are said for the dead of the parish, and the priest walks the rows blessing each grave in turn. The parish has asked people to bring their own holy water with them. There is no formal seating, so people stand at their own family plots or gather in the central paths, and the whole thing takes roughly half an hour at each cemetery. The Termonfeckin and Holy Cross ceremonies in the same pastoral area were held the previous Sunday, 9 August, so the 16th is the Clogherhead date.

Good to Know

• Sunday 16 August 2026, The Mullagh cemetery at 3pm and St Denis’ cemetery at 4.30pm
• Both cemeteries are in the Clogherhead area of east Co. Louth
• Free, no booking, all welcome
• Bring your own holy water, the parish has asked for this specifically
• Dress for standing outdoors, the ground underfoot can be soft
• Part of the St Colmcille’s Pastoral Area, which covers Clogherhead, Termonfechin, Monasterboice and Togher parishes
• Mass intentions and anniversaries for Clogherhead and Walshestown are booked by phone on 041 982 2224
• Clogherhead parish office: 087 379 1443

Getting There

Clogherhead sits on the coast north east of Drogheda, reached on the R166 from Termonfeckin or the R168 from Dunleer. Drogheda is about twenty minutes away by car. Parking at both cemeteries is on the roadside and fills quickly on the day, so arriving well ahead of the start time is sensible, and drivers should leave gateways and passing places clear.