Fears for elderly visitors in dark Laois graveyard

FEARS for the safety of elderly people visiting an isolated Laois graveyard have sparked an appeal for public lighting at the site.

Cllr Vivienne Phelan described Moyanna Cemetery in Vicarstown as “a rural cemetery in quite an isolated location”, as she called for the installation of lighting in the area.

At the September meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington municipal district council, she said: “I was approached by some older residents who visit loved ones there and they said they would feel safer if there was lighting there.” 

The Stradbally councillor’s proposal received unanimous support from other councillors.

In a written response from the council’s roads department, an official said that staff from the road design section would arrange to meet Cllr Phelan on site.

The official said: “An assessment will be carried out, with a view to installing public lighting if required.” 

The Laois Graveyards Survey describes the Moyanna burial site as a well-maintained rural graveyard surrounded by pasture fields.

The graveyard contains the ruins of a medieval church and is thought to be the site of a religious house founded by St Monenna between the seventh and ninth centuries.

There is a 19th century arched entranceway and the graveyard contains 18th to 21st century headstones, as well as Celtic-style and metal crosses, nearly all upright and in good condition with just a few leaning, collapsed or damaged.