Taylor’s Cross and Mellon have been selected the overall winners in the Burial Ground Awards for 2019. The announcement was made at a gala ceremony at the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel in Adare, where the winners were announced in the Modern and Ancient categories.
The awards are divided into two categories, Ancient and Modern, with individual winners selected for the three Municipal Districts and the Metropolitan District of Limerick.
Voluntary parish committees, community councils, groups and individuals from across Limerick participated in the 12th annual awards scheme, which is organised by the Community Development Department of Limerick City and County Council.
Speaking at the gala ceremony, Cathaoirleach of the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Sheahan congratulated all the nominees and said: “Limerick City and County Council is very thankful for the hard work and commitment of groups and associations as well as individuals across Limerick who, day in day out, week in week out, maintain their local burial grounds.”
“Everyone is deeply thankful for the time and effort that you all spend in the upkeep of the burial grounds. And as a result that is why we are here this evening - to honour you and your selfless commitment to your community.”
“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 or so cemeteries.”
Acknowledgements were also given to Limerick Civic Trust, Ballyhoura Development and West Limerick Resources who run the Rural Social Scheme Programme. The workers on these schemes, along with TUS and Community Employment Schemes, play an important role in the maintenance of our graveyards and cemeteries and the historic monuments contained within them.
Burial Grounds Awards Modern Category:
Overall Winner: Taylor’s Cross
Adare-Rathkeale
- 1st - Taylor’s Cross
- 2nd - Croagh Community
- 3rd - Croom Community
Cappamore-Kilmallock
- 1st - Inch St. Laurence
- 2nd - Effin
- 3rd - Colmanswell
- 4th - Ballinard Herbertstown
Metropolitan
- 1st - Kilmurry
Newcastle West
- 1st - St. Ita's, Kilmeedy
- 2nd - Mountcollins
- 3rd - Auglish
Burial Grounds Awards Ancient Category:
Overall Winner: Mellon
Adare-Rathkeale
- 1st - Mellon
- 2nd - Fedamore Old
- 3rd - Drehidtrasna
Cappamore-Kilmallock
- 1st - Ballingaddy Old
- 2nd - Abbey
- 3rd - Mongfune
- 4th - Pallasgreen Chursh of Ireland
Metropolitan
- 1st - Kilkeedy
Newcastle West
- 1st - Cloncrew
- 2nd - Rathronan
- 3rd - Abbeyfeale Church of Ireland