Concern over ‘unsafe’ church ruin in east Clare

BURIALS are taking place at an East Clare cemetery with mourners and undertakers having to make their way around scaffolding supporting a dangerous church ruin.

The situation at the Old Cemetery in Moynoe was highlighted at the September meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District by Councillor Pat Burke. The Whitegate native called for an outline of any works planned at the church ruins. 

“Scaffolding was erected, some months ago, because the church is considered unsafe,” he told the meeting. “Burials have taken place and the scaffolding is still there. We were very grateful for the funding for works at Clonrush Cemetery and very keen to see similar works in Moynoe. I’m concerned, though, that that will take time and Moynoe can’t be left the way it is.”

Councillor Joe Cooney seconded the motion. “We are aware of the inconvenience being caused to families there, but health and safety is very important,” he said. “The problem is funding. When we go to try to get something done, it comes down to funding the whole time. We need to explore more sources of funds.”

Councillor Pat Hayes expressed his support. “Thanks to the Burial Ground Unit,” he said. “This is on the agenda and there is a risk there for a long time. The scaffolding is in place at huge cost.”

The Caher native, who is Chair of the Rural Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), noted that a review of burial ground practices is underway. “The SPC is reviewing the bye laws on burial grounds,” he said. “There is a lack of funding. We need to be planning to secure enough funding, especially for emergencies. This is emerging as an issue. The fact is that we don’t have emergency funding. This will need political support in budgets, so that we can have more fundings allocated. Moynoe is a typical example of what is going on in many areas.”

Councillor Burke thanked Bernadette Haugh, Senior Executive Officer with Rural Development for a written response to the motion. 

“The Burial Grounds Unit has carried out a comprehensive plan to deal with the stabilisation of the medieval church ruins at Moynoe Burial Ground,” the response outlined. “This involved the erection of a scaffolding system to support the compromised areas of the gable structure. This involved the removal of a significant amount of foliage overburden.

“In cooperation with the Architectural Conservation Officer, Burial Grounds Unit staff have a carried out 3D modelling surveys of the structure. The Architectural Conservation Officer has also delivered a comprehensive condition report on the structure, which has defined all the critical elements required for both the emergency and long-term conservation of the structure.

Staff have also carried out an onsite inspection with the Monument Protection Officer at the National Monuments Service. The Monument Protection Officer has advised on the necessary course of action to carry out remediation and conservation works to ensure the long-term stabilisation of the structure. This is likely to be a lengthy and expensive process.

“A likely source of funding from the National Monuments Service has been identified by way of the Community Monuments Fund. Burial Ground Unit staff have finalised an application for this funding stream which includes costing for the preparation of the conservation methods statement, project management, onsite conservation works and archaeological monitoring. A decision on this application may take some time.

“The Burial Grounds Unit remains committed to resolving this issue, but its success is dependent on the outcome of the application for emergency funding from outside stakeholders as the Burial Grounds Unit do not have a budget or remit for conservation works.”