Roselawn Cemetery

Roselawn Cemetery is Belfast's main municipal cemetery, a large, landscaped burial ground and crematorium on the city's eastern edge, along the Ballygowan Road near Crossnacreevy. It is owned and run by Belfast City Council and has served the city since the mid-1950s.

What is Roselawn Cemetery?

Roselawn is a "lawn" cemetery, a layout in which graves are set in open, mown grass rather than packed between tall monuments. The grounds were laid out in the early 1950s and the ground was formally consecrated in 1954, the year the cemetery opened. Its name is attributed to the roses planted along the main driveway.

What is the history of the site?

The cemetery has grown considerably since opening. Additional land has been absorbed over the decades, and the grounds have been shaped with lakes and planting to make them a calmer, more pleasant place to walk. Roselawn is one of the largest municipal cemeteries in the United Kingdom, though figures for its exact area vary between sources.

The City of Belfast Crematorium stands within the grounds. It opened in 1961 and is described as the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. Belfast City Council states that it provides cremation services for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, so families travel here from well beyond the city.

Is there anything of historical interest?

Yes. Within the grounds are the remains of an ancient ráth, an earthen ringfort dating from the Iron Age or the early Christian period. It is a reminder that the land was settled long before the cemetery was planned.

Roselawn also holds graves linked to the Troubles. These include police and prison officers, soldiers, and victims of attacks such as the Abercorn Restaurant, Oxford Street and La Mon House Hotel bombings. For many visitors from Northern Ireland, this gives the cemetery a particular weight as a place of remembrance.

Can tourists visit?

Roselawn is first and foremost a working cemetery, so it is not a conventional sightseeing stop. Visitors who come out of interest in local history, genealogy or remembrance are welcome to walk the grounds, but should keep to the quiet, respectful conduct expected of any burial site and take care not to disturb funerals or services in progress.

Frequently asked questions

When did Roselawn Cemetery open? The cemetery opened in 1954, after being laid out in the early 1950s.

Who runs it? Belfast City Council owns and operates it, including the crematorium.

Where is it? On the Ballygowan Road, on the outskirts of Belfast in Northern Ireland, in the Lisburn and Castlereagh District area.

Is there a crematorium? Yes. The City of Belfast Crematorium opened on the grounds in 1961.

What ancient feature is on site? The remains of a ringfort, or ráth, from the Iron Age or early Christian period.

Why is it called Roselawn? The name is attributed to the roses planted along the main driveway.

Are there Troubles-related graves? Yes, including police and prison officers, soldiers and victims of several well-known bombings in Belfast.