J3872 : Gravestone, Knock Burial Ground
taken 13 years ago, 4 km WSW of Dundonald, Co Down, Northern Ireland
Ancient burial ground in Belfast believed to date back to the 13th Century. It is located on a hill (the Gaelic word 'cnoc' translates as 'hill' in English) accessed from Knockmount Park. It is believed that a church dedicated to St Columba, at sometime called Knock Columkille, once stood on the site, but no trace of this remains today. In 1637 the site was abandoned as a place of worship in favour of the neighbouring townland of Breda, now known as Knockbreda - see J3570 : Knockbreda Parish Church, Belfast. The oldest headstone found today dates from 1644 and there are many examples of dating from the early 18th to the mid 20th Centuries. The site came under the control of Belfast Corporation (now Belfast City Council) in 1896. Burials no longer take place and the site is only open by appointment only, or on special occasions such as European Heritage Open Days.