The Society of Friends, or Quakers, was founded in the 17th Century with the first recorded Friends Meeting for Worship held in Ireland dating back to 1654. Many Quakers were merchants and businessman who were very highly regarded. According to historical sources, the Quakers built the first meeting house in Youghal in 1681 – the present building is a combination of 19th & 20th Century alterations and modifications. A Quaker burial ground lies to the south west of the meeting house and is surrounded by a stone wall. Quaker burial grounds are usually very simple in their layout with plain, uniform grave stones, or none at all.