North Kilkenny town comes together in remembrance

The annual remembrance ceremony was held at the Workhouse Graveyard in Castlecomer on Christmas morning.

Now in its 16th year, the service is held in the memory of all who were interred in this sacred spot simply because there was nowhere else for them to go.

During the period 1852 to 1952 numerous such burials took place here. The graveyard was utilised from the beginning, as poor people who went to the Workhouse couldn’t afford to be buried in church graveyards. The ceremony was led by the Male Voice Choir.

MC Christy welcomed all he was heartened to see so many children present. He paid tribute to all the volunteers who assist with the day-to-day maintenance.

"Special thanks must go to the Wellie Race Committee whose continued financial support has made possible many safety improvements; we are indebted for that generosity," he said.

"Thank you also to the Roche family for the maintenance and cutting of our boundary hedgerows."

Mr Ryan then led the attendance in a decade of the rosary and the ceremony concluded to the strains of the Male Voice Choir. The Brennan brothers provided a selection of welcome aperitifs.