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The graveyard lies on the slopes of the hill where the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Patrick stands. While the cathedral and grounds present an attractive face to Armachians and tourists alike, the same can't be said for the little graveyard. The land on which the graveyard is situated was acquired by Archbishop William Crolly from the Earl of Dartry in the late 1830's and as well as the graveyard he built St. Patrick's seminary on the top of the hill beside the site that would become St. Patrick's cathedral. Although replaced by a new graveyard in 1888 burials continued regularly at Sandy hill until the 1950's and the last person was laid to rest there in 1972.

Perhaps the most eminent burial to take place here was that of Primate McGettigan. He especially requested to be buried with the poor and when he died in 1887 he was buried just inside the gates among his people. However in 1896 his remains were transferred to the new burial ground about a mile away.

Unfortunately in recent years the graveyard has become a resort for drinkers of Special Brew and Buckfast tonic wine. These wasters have made the graveyard their playground and despite many complaints and concerns the cathedral authorities seem unable or unwilling to do anything to stop the rapid decline of what could be pleasant addition to Ireland's ecclesticial capital.