Pictured: Jody Heffernan, David Cahill and Pat Dalton accept the award for 2nd place in the Newcastle West area modern category on behalf of Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle West, from Gordon Daly, Director of Services Limerick City and County Council and Deputy Mayor Noel Gleeson. The Annual Limerick Burial Ground Awards 2016 took place at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare. Picture: Marie Keating
Knocklong and Ardpatrick overall winners in Limerick Burial Ground Awards 2016
Community spirit and endeavour have once again been highlighted and rewarded at the Limerick Burial Ground Awards 2016.
Voluntary parish committees, community councils, groups and individuals from across Limerick participated in the ninth annual awards scheme, which is organised by the Community Support Services section of Limerick City and County Council.
St Joseph’s Burial Ground in Knocklong and Ardpatrick Burial Ground were selected as the overall winners at a gala ceremony at the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel in Adare last night (Wednesday 15 February).
The awards are divided into two categories, ancient and modern, with individual winners selected for the four areas of Annacotty, Kilmallock, Rathkeale/ Adare and Newcastle West, which cover all of the city and county.
St Joseph’s Burial Ground in Knocklong was selected as the overall winner in the Modern category, while Ardpatrick Burial Ground scooped the award in the Ancient category.
Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Noel Gleeson presented the awards. He congratulated all the nominees at the Limerick Burial Ground Awards 2016 and said: “everyone is deeply thankful for the time and effort that you all spend in the upkeep of the burial grounds.”
“I want to pay tribute to the communities, burial ground committees, burial ground caretakers and parish councils who look after the upkeep and maintenance of Limerick’s 250 cemeteries and especially the winners Knocklong and Ardpatrick.”
Gordon Daly, Director of Services with Limerick City and County Council said: “Limerick City and County Council greatly appreciates the hard work and commitment of those across Limerick who maintain their local burial grounds.”
“They are a key part of our community infrastructure. I have witnessed firsthand the pride when a new cemetery or extension is opened. Equally I am aware of the care, respect and sensitivity shown to our ancient burial grounds, many of which have been part of our communities for hundreds of years.”
Burial Grounds Awards – Modern:
Overall Winner: St Josephs Burial Ground, Knocklong
Annacotty | Kilmallock | Rathkeale/ Adare | Newcastle West |
1st Castlemungret | 1st St Josephs Burial Ground, Knocklong | 1st St Mary’s Community Burial Ground, Ballingarry | 1st Aughlish Burial Ground, Feohanagh |
2nd Ballinure/ Mongfume | 2nd St Mary’s Burial Ground, Meanus | 2nd St Kyran’s, Community Burial Ground, Coolcappagh | 2nd Calvary, Newcastle West |
3rd Taylors Cross, Community Burial Ground, Carnane | 3rd St Patricks Burial Ground, Anglesborough | 3rd Shanagolden Burial Ground | 3rd Springfield Burial Ground, Broadford |
Burial Grounds Awards – Ancient:
Overall Winner: Ardpatrick Burial Ground
Annacotty | Kilmallock | Rathkeale/ Adare | Newcastle West |
1st Raheen | 1st Ardpatrick | 1st Croagh | 1st Templeathea |
2nd Killeenagarriff | 2nd Kilflyn | 2nd Ballinakill, Kilfinny | 2nd Castletown Conyers |
3rd Carrigparson | 3rd Temple | 3rd Shanbotha | 3rd Monegay |
For more on Limerick’s Burial Grounds click here
For more on Limerick’s awards click here
Photos credit Marie Keating Photography: