You might be asking yourself why would knowing or even visiting a cemetery be an important part of Belfast and we have to say that Milltown Cemetery carries a history behind that would bring it to the front lines of the important destinations in Belfast.

Milltown Cemetery is a large cemetery found in Belfast, Northern Ireland, that lies within the townland of Ballymurphy, between Falls Road and M1 motorway. This is an old cemetery that passed through different stages of history, it was opened back in 1869 as part of the broader provision of services for the city of Belfast's expanding Catholic population. Since the time this cemetery was found, it has been considered an important development in the episcopal reign of Bishop Patrick Dorrian of the Diocese of Down and Connor.

Within this cemetery, there are three large sections of open space which are designated as "poor ground", each of them is the size of a soccer football field. These poor grounds are not empty as some people think at the beginning when they first see it, but there are about 80,000 people buried in this poor grounds and many of them died of the flu pandemic (which was a deadly influenza pandemic that appeared back in 1918).

The history and even the story of this cemetery always refers to the place as a nationalist and Irish Republican site while in fact the majority of those buried in there are unknown Catholics. For some people, it might not be a place which they will be interested to visit and know more about its origins, while for others it could be one sport where they might go to in order to know more about those famous characters who might be buried there.

Along the history, this cemetery turned to be synonymous for some people with the Irish Republicanism and there are even some famous figures buried there who played their roles and parts in some of these events and strikes. One of the examples is the Irish Republican Army Volunteer, Bobby Sands, who died on hunger strike in 1981 and who is buried there, and there are different others names which could be stated down and who are all buried in Milltown Cemetery as well. Actually one of the most visited parts of the Milltown Cemetery is the "New Republican Plot" which includes the final resting place of 77 Irish Republican Army volunteers who Bobby Sands is one of them. For those who might not know, Bobby Sands's funeral was attended by over 100,000 people and it was seen all around the world and that could explain why his grave is still visited by lots of people annually until today.

This is one of the places to be mentioned about Belfast for the mixture of tragedy, history and conflict that it tends to carry within. Milltown Cemetery is the only graveyard in Northern Ireland that witnessed some of the largest funeral processions in all of Ireland and is also the final resting place of more than 200,000 souls.

Thinking about a graveyard might bring lots of tragic memories to any person living out there but the thing with Milltown Cemetery is that it passed through some tragic events itself such as the death of three people and the injury of more than 60 back in 1988 by a rival paramilitary member who was armed with guns and grenade and that was during a funeral which these victims were attending - so there are also those tragic stories that this cemetery passed by as well.

The cemetery is not only home for the Irish dead but you will find lots of bodies buried in this place from different times and who might not be even Irish, such as the British and Irish soldiers who are buried in the place from both World Wars.

This might not be one of the several items that should be placed on the list of places to visit in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but it would definitely serve those who are interested in the stories related to wars and the general political life and who might be interested to hear some of the death stories related to those famous figures found out there and even realize that they are buried in this cemetery which they are standing at - so you could still make it part of your list of touristic places if you have some time and if you are interested in such stories.

There are some suggestions which we could provide for all those who have intentions of visiting Belfast and we could provide you all with a good list of the best places. Among this long list, we would suggest visiting Ulster Museum in Belfast ([ Ссылка ]), Belfast City Hall ([ Ссылка ]), Sandy Row ([ Ссылка ]), Royal Avenue ([ Ссылка ]), the Giant's Ring ([ Ссылка ]) and of course visiting the centre of the city with the most famous attractions there which you will definitely have on the list.

Some of the best locations around Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield. A travel blog/vlog of the hidden treasures that are on our doorstep.

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