New work plan to improve look of Kinnitty Cemetery

A new work plan to improve the appearance of Kinnitty Cemetery has been agreed with Offaly Council.

Cllr John Clendennen said he has been liaising with Offaly County Council over the past number of weeks to determine a programme of works at Kinnitty graveyard over the summer months.

"I met with a number of officials from Offaly County Council in recent weeks to agree a plan to improve the current presentation of the graveyard, it is important that maintenance works commence at all respective cemeteries earlier in the year rather than looking unsightly following a month of 'no mow May', it is also important that a policy is devised to clarify voluntary input to carrying out enhancement works,"stated Cllr Clendennen.

A work plan has been agreed, with the majority of works expected to be completed by Offaly County Council in advance of Cemetery Mass scheduled for the first week of August.

The agreed works at Kinnitty Cemetery include resurfacing the pathways with quarry dust, mowing the long grass skirting the boundary wall, mowing the edge of pathways.

It also incluses removing refuse and waste, and erecting interpretive signage highlighting biodiversity and a scheduled engagement during Heritage Week to inform people of the different wildflower species that can be found in the cemetery.

A final cut of grass will also be carried out at the end of the growing season.

Separately, but also cemetery related, Cllr Clendennen has welcome the cutting of grass verges from Syngfield roundabout to Clonoghill graveyard and has requested Offaly County Council to address the current state of the toilet facility at the graveyard.

"I have received several complaints from members of the public regarding the current state of the toilet facilities at Clonoghill cemetery, I appreciate budgets are restrictive, but it is important that such facilities are maintained to an acceptable and safe standard," Cllr Clendennen added.