Recommended Huguenot heritage sites to visit in Ireland

After the Huguenots left France they moved to many countries where they settled and eventually became integrated. Ireland is one such country and their presence here has made a significant impact on the social, political, economic and cultural history of Ireland. Here are some of the many places where Huguenots have left their mark.

Dublin

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral. (The Huguenot Church of St. Patrick’s was the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral, where services and prayers were in French.) The nearby cemetery was a portion of the Cabbage Garden in Cathedral Lane where many Huguenots were buried.
• Marsh’s Library, beside St Patrick’s Cathedral.
• Leinster House, the Four Courts, and the Customs House – all of Huguenot design.
• The Huguenot Graveyard in Merrion Row near the Shelbourne Hotel.
• Marlay Demesne at Rathfarnham, a former home of the La Touche family.

Cork

• The French Quarter and Huguenot Burial Ground (between Patrick Street and Paul Street). Read about the restoration of this important burial ground.

Portarlington, Co. Laois

• Military families were settled here and family registers of Huguenots are still kept in the French Church. Coolbanagher Church and Lea Church are also in this area.

Oldbridge, Co. Meath

• The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre commemorates the battle in which a number of Huguenot regiments were involved. Many of the Huguenot soldiers who took part in the battle remained on in the country and settled down to marry and raise families in Ireland.

Lisburn, Co Antrim

• The Linen Centre houses a museum exhibition on the Irish Linen Industry which was established in the area by Huguenots in the early 1700’s.
• Lisburn Cathedral. The graveyard has a number of Huguenot tombs.