Restoration works at South Offaly cemetery near completion

A group of local residents have been involved in a project to make the grounds of Ettagh Cemetery in Coolderry safe and secure, to maintain the grounds and ensure no further deterioration of the original church structure.

Cllr John Clendennen has been assisting the group to secure funding, with the support of Offaly County Council, to maintain the cemetery grounds and complete some building repair works.

“I want to acknowledge the work of the group to date at Ettagh Cemetery, the grounds are very well presented and maintained, and the efforts of the group are really paying dividends. The contractor Padraig O'Toole has also provided a high quality finish to the work he has carried out. Well done to everyone involved,” stated Cllr Clendennen.

The committee, contractor and Cllr Clendennen wanted, in particular, to remember the late Peader O’Meara who was the initial contractor working with the group on the project and supplied the scaffolding for the project.

The Ettagh Cemetery Group is keen to continue the good work and has plans to clear the debris from inside the church walls and to continue to enhance the grounds for the benefit of local families and diaspora that regularly visit.