Watch out for the body snatchers

The Cruagh Churchyard Watchtower is located in an ancient graveyard beside the ruins of a 12th-century church. During the 18th century, there was a booming interest in anatomy and only executed criminals could be dissected. Medical schools had to look elsewhere for appropriate samples and it was common for medical professionals to pay for or even steal dead bodies. This gave rise to the phenomenon of grave robbers and this practice was reported in Kevin Street, Kilmainham, Glasnevin, and nearby at Kilgobbin graveyards. The practice became so widespread and lucrative that bodies were even exported to London. This watchtower was built for a sentry who guarded any ‘freshly buried bodies’ from being dug up for sale! After many years of public outcry, the Anatomy Act was published in 1832 which stipulated strict rules around the donation of the body.