CONSERVATION works have begun to breathe new life into Mount St Lawrence Cemetery — one of Ireland’s largest graveyards.
Limerick City and County Council has entered into an agreement with Limerick Civic Trust to carry out conservation works to the mortuary chapel and also to clean and repair old headstones marking the graves of some of the estimated 70,000 people buried throughout the 18-acre site.
The primary place of burial in Limerick City since opening in 1849, its management was transferred from the Church to the Council in 1979. Conservation works at the cemetery will be carried out in phases by a Community Employment Scheme (CES) under Limerick Civic Trust’s supervision.
As the final resting place of many Limerick citizens, director of service at Limerick City and County Council, Kieran Lehane, believes it is only fitting that every effort is made to maintain the site and its many thousands of graves. According to Mr Lehane, there are a large number of headstones in need of repair in the cemetery.
“Works presently underway include the cleaning of headstones, removal of vegetation growth and cleaning around the ironwork of individual gravesites,” Mr Lehane revealed.
Mount St Lawrence Mortuary Chapel, which was built by the trustees of the cemetery in 1868-69, is also undergoing works. Regarded as one of Limerick City’s most historically important buildings, it was designed by the English Catholic architect George Goldie who also designed altars and other internal fittings for the Franciscan, Dominican and Redemptorist churches in Limerick.
The current phase of works consists of removal of vegetation growth, repairs to the roof covering the apse, slating of apse roof, masonry works and pointing, cleaning out of gullies and drains. The interior works include repairs to altar railing, paintwork. In addition, the Council has received approval for a small grant for specific works to the chapel under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme, which is funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Murroe-based Architectural Conservation Professionals (ACP) are the conservation consultants for the project and are also engaged to provide training to the workers on the project.
“The conservation works are being carried out on a phased basis and it is expected that the complete conservation of the Mortuary Chapel will be carried out over a number of years. The Council is currently considering possible future uses for this chapel,” Mr Lehane concluded.
