Woman 'brought to her knees with tears' at state of graveyard
Trees in part of St Eltin's Cemetery, Ardbrack, have been described as dangerous as their roots could be undermining graveyard plots and kerbing. File picture: Pexels
A woman said she was "brought to her knees with tears" after witnessing the state of a county council-controlled cemetery in Kinsale.
Trees in part of St Eltin's Cemetery, Ardbrack, have been described as dangerous as their roots could be undermining graveyard plots and kerbing.
Debris from the trees is also causing lichen to form on headstones, leading to slippery surfaces on the footpaths.
The issue was raised by Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan at a meeting of the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal District Council.
She asked that all the trees be felled as they “are rendering the maintenance of these graves extremely difficult".
“Gravestones and kerbs become green due to the overhanging vegetation. This is causing unnecessary distress for the families in question who have loved ones resting there,” Ms Coughlan said.
Independent Ireland councillor John Collins said he had received some distressing correspondence from a woman who has relatives buried in the cemetery.
“The woman said these are sacred spaces and added the state of the graves ‘brought me to my knees in tears'. She was genuinely upset,” Mr Collins said.
Fine Gael councillor John Michael Foley, also a funeral director, said he wouldn’t encourage having trees in any cemetery because they are dangerous and could be felled in storms.
He said the trees are “a health and safety issue” as they could cause injuries or even worse to people visiting the cemetery.
Fine Gael councillor Marie O’Sullivan said cutting the trees would provide more light in the cemetery.
Council engineers said they had spent €9,000 trimming back the trees in November 2024.
They said that it would cost an estimated €15,000 to fell all 56 trees overhanging the graves and they have no funding in the kitty at present to pay for it this year.
They agreed that the trees shouldn’t be so close to the graves and that they would see if they could find the finances required.
Ms O’Sullivan, who chairs the committee, suggested that some of the revenue from pay parking in Kinsale could be used to carry out the work. Other councillors agreed that this was probably one way of financing the project.
Elsewhere in Cork, the cemetery in Rossmore has officially reopened after a full refurbishment.
The overall project, which cost €65,000 - €45,000 from Cork County Council and the rest from local fundraising efforts, includes resurfacing of paths and widening of the entrance to allow vehicle access.
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