Did you know that the staff car park of the National Archives of Ireland now stands where French Peter’s cemetery once was? This plaque commemorates French Peter’s Church. It speaks to a time when Dublin offered refuge to French Protestants. These people were known as Huguenots. Let’s delve into their story and the legacy of French Peter’s Church.
In the late 17th century, France saw great religious upheaval. The Edict of Nantes, which had granted religious freedoms to Protestants, was revoked in 1685. This led to the persecution of Huguenots. Many fled their homeland seeking safety. Ireland became one of their havens. Around 10,000 Huguenots sought refuge here. Dublin became a central hub for them.
The Huguenots significantly influenced Dublin’s culture and economy. They brought skills in trades like weaving, banking, and craftsmanship. They established their own communities and churches. French Peter’s Church was one such place of worship. It served the French-speaking Protestant community. The church was more than just a religious building. It was a focal point for their cultural identity.
The registers of French Peter’s Church have survived. They offer valuable genealogical information. These records are mostly in French. However, key details like names, dates, and relationships are easily extracted. These registers document baptisms, marriages, and burials. They provide a window into the lives of these refugees.
French Peter’s cemetery was located on Peter Street. It is now the staff car park of the National Archives of Ireland. For many years after the churches closed, the Huguenot Graveyard was retained. Later the remains were moved and re-interred in Mount Jerome under a government act, after Jacobs Biscuit factory purchased the site from the trustees.
Other traces of the Huguenots remain in Dublin. The Huguenot Cemetery off Merrion Row is another example. A wall plaque lists the family names of those buried there from 1693. Street names like D’Olier Street also hint at Huguenot influence. It was named after Jeremiah D’Olier, a goldsmith of Huguenot descent.
The story of French Peter’s Church Plaque is a reminder. It highlights Dublin’s history as a place of sanctuary. The Huguenots enriched the city with their skills and culture. Though the church is gone, its memory lives on. It stands as a symbol of resilience, faith, and integration. It exemplifies a community finding a new home.