It’s hugely important that we look after the resting places of the people that went before us.This was the poignant message from County Council chairperson Cllr Fidelis Doherty as she visited sites in the Callan area, last weekend. (Scroll down to read more and click 'NEXT' to see more photographs) Cllr Doherty first visited Cherryfield Famine Graveyard, just outside Callan, and later the ruins of Coolaghmore Church and its graveyard.Praising the work that has been done by the community in both places, Doherty said it is nice to remember the people who travelled the fields and these roads that we now travel. Cherryfield Famine Graveyard is thought to be the last resting place of up to 5,000 people, local historian Joe Kennedy said. It is thought that during the Famine, bodies were brought not only from Callan Workhouse but from as far away as the workhouse in Carrick on Suir. There are no grave markers and until 30-40 years ago it had been overgrown and cars couldn’t even drive up the lane to the site. When the Callan Heritage Society was founded in the 1980s they made it an objective to do something about Cherryfield. Today it is well kept, thanks to James Bailey, and a memorial has been erected there to communities across the world who have also suffered from famine. The lane was resurfaced by Kilkenny County Council last year thanks to the financial assistance of farmers along the lane - David and Helen Cahill, John and Shane O’Keeffe, John and Siobhán Power, Ger O’Brien and Paddy Condon.Great credit also to engineers Declan Murphy and Frank Stafford and all the county council crew. Sherry FitzGerald McCreery in Kilkenny prepare for 100k in 30 Days Over the years, Callan Heritage Society have written about the site’s importance, ensuring it is remembered.Kilkenny County Council are now in the process of taking ownership of the cemetery.On Sunday, a short prayer was led by Br. Christy Carroll and a musical lament was played on harmonica by John Lyons, at both sites. The local community then
‘Remembering the people who walked these fields and roads before us’ at Cherryfield Famine Graveyard in Callan
County Council Cathaoirleach also visited the Old Abbey at Coolaghmore
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The gathering attending the commemoration stood before the altar and cross at the Callan Famine GraveyardPICTURE: HARRY REID Click 'NEXT' for more pictures
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Bernadette Lyons and David Cahill Click 'NEXT' for more pictures
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John Lyons played a lament on harmonicaPICTURE: HARRY REID Click 'NEXT' for more pictures
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Br. Christy O’Carroll, Margaret Cullen, Nancy Power and Jimmy Hoyne Click 'NEXT' for more pictures
