IMPROVED access has been sought at Ballysheen Graveyard, with councillors highlighting concerns around the accessibility of the gravel roadway for elderly visitors and those with mobility issues.
However, Clare County Council said the roadway is currently considered to be in good condition for a gravel surface.
The issue was raised by Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) at the July meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, where he called for works to be carried out on the council-maintained section of the graveyard roadway.
Cllr O’Callaghan praised the “great work” previously carried out outside the graveyard but said the focus had now shifted to the internal roadway.
“The issue previously was outside the wall, now the issue is inside,” he said.
He acknowledged that the council’s response noted the “good condition of the gravel surface”, but highlighted the difficulties gravelled areas can create for elderly visitors.
“We need to try and make it [the graveyard] as easy and accessible as possible,” he said.
Cllr O’Callaghan noted that the graveyard is divided into three sections, comprising the old part, the council-owned section and an area managed by the community.
The motion was seconded by Leas-Chathaoirleach of the district, Cllr Conor Ryan (FG), who praised the work carried out by community groups in maintaining their section of the graveyard.
In a written response, Senior Executive Officer Leonore O’Neill said upgrade works had already been carried out to the roadway within the council-maintained section of Ballysheen Graveyard in recent years, and that it is currently considered to be in “good condition for a gravel surface”.
However, she acknowledged that gravel roadways can create difficulties for visitors, particularly older people and those with mobility issues, while also affecting access for maintenance and funeral vehicles during periods of poor weather.
Ms O’Neill said any further upgrade would have to be considered in the context of the overall maintenance and capital budget available for burial grounds across the county.
She said Ballysheen Graveyard would be assessed alongside other burial grounds when determining priority works, taking into account the condition of sites, available resources and competing demands.
In the meantime, the condition of the roadway will continue to be monitored, with any necessary maintenance works carried out as resources allow.
