Festive winnings help local charities Laneway to old cemetery to get major upgrade
THE proceeds from the Most Christmassy Home Competition which was won by Arklow couple Anthony and Arlette Doyle, was presented to two deserving local charities in recent days.
Their house at Fernhill, was chosen through a public vote as the most ‘Christmassy’ home in the country and a prize of €3,000 was offered by company Energia who hosted the contest, to be donated to the charity of the winner’s choice.
Arklow RNLI and Arklow Community First Responders each received a cheque for €1500 from Energia representative Yvona Ostruszkova and Anthony Doyle.
Arklow First Responders will use the donation to purchase equipment such as defibrillators and to provide CPR training and Arklow RNLI will use the donation to buy equipment that will aid lifeguards in saving lives at sea and serving the local community.
‘I am delighted to have been able to make a meaningful contribution to these essential local services in the Arklow area. I enjoyed taking part in Ireland’s Most Christmassy Home and look forward to competing in the future,’ Anthony said.
Denise Guilfoyle of Arklow First Responders thanked Anthony and Arlette and said ‘the very generous donation we received from Anthony and Energia will help Arklow Community First Responders immensely. The funding will be used to help place more vital access defibrillators around our community and also help with the maintenance of the seven we currently have placed in our locality. The funding will also enable us to provide training for the community and schools in the local area which will give people the knowledge and confidence to know what to do in a cardiac emergency.’
‘Huge thanks to Aidy & Arlette for their fantastic Christmas lights display and too Energia for their huge support, these funds will assist with funding Arklow RNLI’s 24/7/365 Volunteer Search & Rescue Service, reminding everybody to Respect The Water,’ said Mark Corcoran of Arklow RNLI. WORKS will be carried out on the roadway leading to Kilranelagh Graveyard after close to 400 people signed up to a petition about the lack of access to the cemetery.
The graveyard is rumoured to be the second oldest graveyard in Ireland and there is evidence at the site of pre-Christian burials.
The cemetery is located on a hill in Colvinstown Upper, which has meant funeral hearses and other vehicles are unable to properly access the site.
Funding has been approved to carry out an upgrade of the road leading to the cemetery following a local campaign which culminated in a petition with hundreds of signatures.
Cllr Tommy Cullen, Cathaoirleach of Baltinglass Municipal District, estimates that the works will cost in the region of €80,000.
‘The roadway isn’t accessible so hearses can’t get to the graveyard so families have to carry the coffins of loved ones up to the cemetery. In the past tractors have had to be used. It’s still an open graveyard but the laneway was never tarmacked and you are talking about a very steep 400 or 500 metres. People visiting the graves of loved ones can’t drive up as far as the cemetery either. It’s particularly tough on elderly people trying to visit a grave,’ said Cllr Cullen.
The petition calls for the upgrade and resurfacing of the laneway to Kilranelagh Graveyard. The works are expected to start the works in Spring of this year.
A Council Engineer also recently visited the sites and is confident the works, once completed, will help alleviate flooding issues.
‘It’s such an historically important graveyard,’ said Cllr Cullen. ‘It celebrates its 400th anniversary this year according to Diocese records, but there are other records that say it is even older. Kevin McAllister is buried there, as are a lot of the other of the 1798 rebels. I have family members of my own buried there. I have to commend the local community for starting the petition and I am sure they will warmly welcome the works when they are finished’.