Cemetery Sunday at Clonminch, Tullamore

What to Expect

Cemetery Sunday at Clonminch is one of the biggest gatherings in the Tullamore parish year. Tullamore Parish has set the 2026 ceremony for Sunday 16 August at 1pm at Clonminch Cemetery. Families come back to the graves of their own people, often travelling from other counties and from abroad for the day, and the graves themselves are tidied, planted and dressed in the weeks beforehand.

The ceremony follows the pattern used across the Irish midlands: prayers led by the parish clergy from a central point in the cemetery, readings and hymns, and then the blessing of the graves, with clergy walking the rows and sprinkling holy water. It is a short, outdoor service rather than a full Mass, and it doubles as a social occasion, with people meeting neighbours and relations they may only see once a year. Attendance is open to everyone, whether or not you have a family grave in Clonminch.

Good to Know

• Date and time: Sunday 16 August 2026 at 1pm, at Clonminch Cemetery, Tullamore.
• Free to attend. No booking, no ticket, everyone welcome.
• This is an annual fixture in the Tullamore parish calendar. Durrow Cemetery holds its own Cemetery Sunday later in the year.
• The ceremony is held outdoors in all weather, so bring a coat and sensible footwear. Ground between graves can be soft after rain.
• Chairs are not provided. Anyone who needs to sit should bring a folding seat.
• Confirm timings in the parish weekly bulletin at tullamoreparish.ie in the days beforehand.

Getting There

Clonminch Cemetery is on the southern edge of Tullamore, off the Clonminch road, and is easily reached from the town centre by car or on foot. Tullamore is served by the N52 from Mullingar and Birr and the N80 from Portlaoise. Parking around the cemetery gates is limited and fills fast on Cemetery Sunday, so arrive well before 1pm or park further back along the road and walk in. Tullamore railway station on the Dublin Heuston to Galway line is roughly a twenty minute walk away.