*Corcomroe Abbey.
THE STAGING of unauthorised humanist weddings and civil ceremonies at an ancient 13th century Abbey in the Burren, Co Clare is resulting in damage to graves slabs there with local family members upset over litter, broken glass and bottles left behind after such events.
That is according to the Minister for State at the Dept of Public Expenditure, Patrick O’Donovan TD (FG) who confirmed that as “a last resort” that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has now erected signage at Corcomroe Abbey advising visitors that such events are not allowed to take place there at the National Monument.
Corcomroe Abbey was built in the 13th century and the Cistercian Monastery is located a few miles from the Burren coastal village of Ballyvaughan.
However, according to Minister O’Donovan the Abbey is regularly advertised by known wedding celebrants as a location to stage a humanist or civil ceremony.
In a written Dáil response to Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) on the issue, Minister O’Donovan said that the activity at Corcomroe has led to concerns in relation to the damage to the grave slabs which are located in the nave of the Abbey in the front of the altar.
He said, “Chairs and other items are being placed on the grave slabs which leave scratches behind. The graveyard is an active graveyard regularly visited by family members who have been upset by finding litter, broken glass, bottles, and flower arrangements left behind after these unauthorised events”.
Minister O’Donovan said that the OPW has been aware of unauthorised ceremonies taken place at the Abbey and has in the past tried to engage with known celebrants who regularly advertise the Abbey as a wedding location to request that they remove reference to the National Monument from their advertising.
Minister O’Donovan said that the decision to erect the sign “was a last resort and was taken ensure that any parties wishing to get married are aware that ceremonies are not facilitated there and should they witness such an event that official permission has not been granted and report it to the OPW”.
The Limerick TD did state that there are a number of sites where the OPW facilitates humanist weddings and civil ceremonies.
He said that these venues were chosen after consultation with the Civil Marriage Registration Authorities in Ireland as meeting their criteria in respect of suitability, access, health and safety and non-religious themes.
The Minister said that the sites are on the OPW website and the OPW welcomes and facilitates a number of requests for such ceremonies at these approved sites each year.
The sites include Ceide Fields, Ormond Castle, Casino Marino, Dungarvan Castle, Kilkenny Castle and Charles Fort.
Deputy McNamara said on Monday that Corcomroe “is more impressive than many better known monastic sites across the country. It is a fantastic Abbey and it would be great if the Abbey could be utilised more in a way that doesn’t negatively impact on it and that is the fear that the OPW has in terms of the civil ceremonies that have taken place there”.
