The 15th annual Limerick Burial Grounds Awards took place at Knockaderry Community Centre last Wednesday night (13th November).
Limerick City and County Council recognised the commitment and dedi-cation of groups, associa-tions, and individuals in their respective commu-nities.
This year’s winners shared in a prize fund totalling €21,000, up from €7,000 in 2023. In the Modern category, Springfield Burial Ground was the overall winner. Crecora Old Burial Ground took the overall prize in the Ancient category.
Cllr Jerome Scanlon, who represented the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran at the awards ceremony, commented:
“Limerick City and County Council extends heartfelt gratitude to all those who tirelessly maintain the local burial grounds across Limerick. Your time and effort do not go unnoticed, and these awards are a tribute to your selfless commitment to community service.
“A special acknowledgment goes to the communities, burial ground committees, caretakers, and parish councils responsible for the upkeep of Limerick’s 267 burial grounds. In Limerick, we pride ourselves on maintaining these sites with the utmost care and dedication. Each graveyard, memorial, and cemetery serves as a testament to our shared history, bearing witness to the lives and contributions of those who came before us.”
Limerick City and County Council remain committed to engaging with community groups on developing community burial grounds. The Council is actively seeking sites for new cemeteries in the Metropolitan and Cappamore/Kilmallock Municipal Districts.
In 2024, work was completed on an extension to the Ballylanders cemetery. The Askeaton cemetery extension will be completed by the end of 2024.
A programme is in place for repairs to 97 ancient structures throughout Limerick – funded by the Community Monuments and Development Funds.
Full List of Winners
Winners in Modern Category Metro
1st : Stradbally Burial Ground – €1,000
Adare/Rathkeale MD
1st : Fedamore New Burial Ground – €1,000
2nd : Beagh New Burial Ground – €800
3rd : Banogue Community Burial Ground – €600 Cappamore/Kilmallock MD
1st : Ballylanders New Burial Ground – €1,000
2nd : Ballingaddy Burial Ground – €800
3rd : St. Fintan’s Burial Ground, Doon – €600 4th : Knocklong New Burial Ground – €500 Newcastle West MD
1st : Auglish Burial Ground – €1,000
2nd : Tournafulla Burial Ground – €800
3rd : Castlemahon Community Burial Ground – €600
Overall winner in the Modern Category is Springfield Burial Ground – €1,500
Prizewinners in Ancient Category
Metropolitian District
1st : Clounanna Burial Ground. – €1,000
Adare/Rathkeale MD
1st: Mountpleasant Burial Ground – €1,000
2nd: Croagh Old Burial Ground – €800
3rd : Nanintan Burial Ground – €600
Cappamore/Kilmallock MD
1st: : Caherelly Burial Ground – €1,000
2nd : Kilmallock Burial Ground – €800
3rd : Kilbreedy East Burial Ground – €600
4th : Ballybrood Burial Ground – €500
Newcastle West MD
1st: Kilmeedy Burial Ground – €1,000
2nd: Ardagh Old Burial Ground – €800
3rd: Killoughlehane Burial Ground – €600
Overall winner in the Ancient Category is Crecora Old Burial Ground – €1,500.
The award for Most Improved Burial Ground and a prize of €600 was awarded to Fanningstown Burial Ground.