Prior to the Anatomy Act of 1832, the only bodies that could be legally dissected by medical students and faculties were those who had been executed. But with a growing number of public and private medical schools came an increased demand for bodies. As a paupers’ cemetery, Bully’s Acre here at the Royal Hospital in particular would be badly hit by those willing to sell corpses to meet demand.

This tour looks at the methods of those desperate to steal and those determined to protect their loved ones. The tour also looks at the why alongside the how.

To reserve a spot, email rhktours@opw.ie