Cemetery Sunday at Durrow, Tullamore

What to Expect

Durrow holds the second of Tullamore Parish’s two annual Cemetery Sunday ceremonies, and the 2026 date is Sunday 13 September at 11.30am. Where Clonminch draws the town crowd in August, Durrow is the quieter, older setting: a burial ground beside one of the most significant early monastic sites in the midlands, associated with Colmcille and with the Book of Durrow. Families with plots there return each year, and graves are cleaned and planted in the weeks before the ceremony.

The service itself is straightforward and short. Parish clergy lead prayers, readings and hymns from a central point, then walk the rows to bless the graves with holy water. It is held outdoors rather than inside a church, and it is as much a gathering of an extended community as a religious ceremony, with people catching up at the gate afterwards. Anyone is welcome to attend, including visitors with no family connection to the graveyard.

Good to Know

• Date and time: Sunday 13 September 2026 at 11.30am, at Durrow Cemetery near Tullamore.
• Free of charge. No booking or ticket required.
• This is an annual ceremony. Tullamore Parish holds its other Cemetery Sunday at Clonminch in August.
• The ceremony goes ahead outdoors in most weather. Bring a raincoat and shoes suited to grass and uneven ground.
• Seating is not provided, so bring a folding chair if standing for half an hour is difficult.
• Times are confirmed in the parish weekly bulletin at tullamoreparish.ie, worth checking the week beforehand.

Getting There

Durrow lies a short drive north of Tullamore off the N52 towards Kilbeggan, signposted for Durrow Abbey. It is a rural site with no public transport to the gate, so driving is the practical option. Parking is on the approach lanes and in the yard by the entrance, and it fills quickly on the day, so allow time and park considerately to keep the lane clear for other cars. From Tullamore town centre allow about ten minutes by car.