Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Friar's Bush Graveyard
Malone Lower, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- GRAVEYARD
- Date of listing
- 27 September 1979
- Date of delisting
- 15 June 2026
- Date of construction
- 1700 - 1719
- Address
- Friar's Bush Graveyard, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AA
- Townland
- Malone Lower
- Council
- Belfast
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.58181, -5.93519
- Date of survey
- 18 December 2025
- HB reference
- HB26/27/014
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 3 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Vltoniae Orientalis Pars" (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
The graveyard is relatively modest in terms of size, comprising only two acres, but is densely populated with burials. The site takes its name from an old thorn bush which stands in the centre of the graveyard, where mass was performed in secret during strict Irish Penal Laws.
The site is located on the Stranmillis Road, which bounds it to the west, while the Ulster Muesum and Botanic Gardens are to the north and east. Access to the graveyard is through the arched gothic gate lodge.
Historical information
Described in the list entry dated 1974 as:
Inscribed small stone Ordnance Survey Map of 1832. Article by C Douglas Deane 'News Letter' 26/2/77. Ulster Architectural Heritage Society 'Queen's University' page 34.
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
Described in the list entry dated 1974 as:
Irregular shaped graveyard enclosed by high rubble stone wall and named afer 'Ye Friar's Grave'. Extended and enclosed before 1932. Contains many tomb memorials on the enclosing walls and free standing.
The Graveyard was designated as a Scheduled Monument,which is a more appropriate form of protection, on 24th February 2026.
Nearby in the register
- GATE HOUSEGates/ Screens/ Lodgesunder 1 mi
- ULSTER MUSEUMGALLERY/ MUSEUMunder 1 mi
- Gate ScreenGates/ Screens/ Lodgesunder 1 mi
- Tropical RavineGlass Houseunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.