Disrespectful Halloween Shenanigans: Fireworks in a Cemetery!
Welcome, dear readers, to the most absurd event of the spooky season: a graveyard rave! Yes, you heard that right. In St. Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow, local residents have found themselves facing an unexpected Halloween surprise—a congregation of party-loving revelers treating the hallowed grounds like a festive playground. When we think of cemeteries, we usually envision silence, reflection, and the occasional ghost story. But, fireworks? Loud music? What’s next, a hot dog stand? 🥳
A bemused local resident, who bravely ventured out for a walk, reported that a crowd descended upon the graveyard on Wednesday night, letting off fireworks like it was New Year’s Eve, before even more people arrived for the Halloween celebrations. I can only imagine the scene: there they were, decked out in costumes—probably dressed as the Grim Reaper or the Headless Horseman—while fireworks exploded above the tombstones like a misguided tribute to the dearly departed. Oh, the irony! “They must have organised a time to arrive,” she said. Really? Because nothing says ‘fun’ like a graveyard gathering planned to perfection.
“There was a big crowd of them,” she continued, “and they were letting off fireworks towards the trees there.” And here I was thinking that the only thing you’d find in cemeteries were spirits and maybe the occasional raccoon. Who knew there would be a need to cross the road to avoid getting fireworks in the face? Honestly, that takes a special kind of audacity—as if haunting someone wasn’t enough. So, what’s the plan here? A Halloween-themed game of dodgeball with explosives? Clearly, the firework safety manual was left back at the Halloween bonfire.
But wait, it gets better. You see, our graveyard partygoers were reportedly enjoying some beverages (liquid courage, anyone?), standing on graves, unleashing a cacophony of noise that could wake the dead—if they weren’t already too busy rolling their eyes at the living. One can’t help but chuckle at the thought of graveyard dwellers rising with annoyance at this absolute disgrace. As the woman lamented, “It’s almost unbelievable—something has to be done.” Well, at that rate, we might as well line the paths with red carpets for the next Halloween spectacular, right?
Now, in an admirable attempt to bring sanity back to the graveyard, Padraig O’Gorman, director of services at Carlow County Council, suggested locking the cemetery at night. Sounds reasonable, right? But hold your sigh; that idea struck out. Why? Because we wouldn’t want to curtail access for those who genuinely want to visit graves at night. Good grief! On the one hand, we have people celebrating life… and death, apparently; on the other, people paying their respects in peace. These two factions clash like zombies versus werewolves!
And what said law enforcement? Superintendent Anthony Farrell pleaded with the public to report anti-social behaviour in real time. But here’s the kicker: the gardaí got the lowdown only after the debacle ended. So, we’re left with a graveyard that’s apparently become the party hotspot of the season. It’s a bit like an invitation to a surprise party that turns into a horror show. Let’s elevate the level of reverence, people. Is it too much to ask to let the dead rest peacefully while we let off a little steam? A little self-awareness goes a long way, doesn’t it?
To wrap this up, while we can appreciate the light-heartedness of the season, perhaps the locals should consider celebrating a little less raucously in sacred spaces. Maybe next time, reserve the fireworks for a suitable location—like your backyard or a football match, far away from the spirits of those who just wanted eternal peace. After all, the last thing we need are ghosts running around declaring, “I’ve had enough of this nonsense!”
So, here’s hoping for a more respectful Halloween next year—because the dead deserve a little peace and quiet, don’t you agree?
Residents in Carlow have voiced their outrage over the shocking scenes that unfolded at St Mary’s Cemetery during Halloween, where individuals were spotted setting off fireworks, consuming alcohol, and blaring loud music in what many deemed a highly disrespectful manner.
A local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, described her disbelief at the crowds she encountered while walking in the Rathnapish area on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. On Halloween night, the situation escalated further, with an even larger gathering congregating for a raucous celebration in the graveyard.
“It was as if there was a synchronized arrival; they all came together. The influx of cars was overwhelming, and then they began to launch fireworks. They turned the cemetery into their own playground, complete with a fireworks display in the heart of it. Can you imagine such a scene?” the woman recounted to The Nationalist.
She recalled being particularly alarmed at the sight of the crowd launching fireworks dangerously close to the trees, fearing that a stray firework could ignite a nearby branch. “I was so concerned that I opted to cross the road to the Braun side, just to be safe. At one point, I thought it would be best to run,” she shared.
The woman was dismayed by the revelers, who not only let off a barrage of bangers but also stood on graves while drinking alcohol. While she acknowledged the occasional music played in the graveyard as a way for some to connect with their deceased loved ones, she deemed the Halloween antics as “the lowest of the low.”
“It’s so unfair to those who come to visit their family graves. The fireworks produced an unbearable whistling sound, shooting into the night sky before exploding. The volume of the bangers was unbearable,” she expressed, shaking her head in disbelief. “It’s an absolute disgrace, it’s so disrespectful. It’s almost unbelievable – something has to be done.”
Carlow County Council, which oversees St Mary’s Cemetery, is aware of the situation. Padraig O’Gorman, director of services, explained that discussions were held about locking the cemetery at nighttime but were ultimately dismissed as it would inhibit those wishing to pay their respects after dark. He stressed that any acts of anti-social behavior should be promptly reported to the gardaí.
“Restricting access is very challenging,” remarked Mr O’Gorman. “People deserve the right to visit the cemetery whenever they need to find solace. We previously discussed this at the council level, concluding that public access should not be curtailed.”
Superintendent Anthony Farrell confirmed that the gardaí were made aware of the disturbances in St Mary’s Cemetery, but only after the fact. He urged locals to report incidents as they occur so they can respond immediately.
“Yes, we received feedback about what occurred there, but real-time information was lacking. The cemetery is on our patrol radar, and we intend to monitor it in the coming weeks. If you see something wrong, please contact us immediately instead of waiting until it’s too late,” Supt Farrell concluded.
**Interview with Local Resident: Disrespectful Halloween Shenanigans in St. Mary’s Cemetery**
**Editor:** Today, we’re discussing a rather surprising incident that occurred in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Carlow, where Halloween celebrations took a chaotic turn. Joining us is a local resident who witnessed the festivities firsthand. Thank you for being here.
**Resident:** Thank you for having me. I never expected to find myself in a situation like this!
**Editor:** Can you describe what you saw during those nights in the cemetery?
**Resident:** It was absolutely unreal! On both Wednesday and Halloween night, a huge crowd gathered there. They turned the graveyard into their own playground. I couldn’t believe my eyes when they began to let off fireworks as if it were New Year’s Eve.
**Editor:** That sounds alarming. What was the atmosphere like?
**Resident:** It was a bizarre mix of excitement and disrespect. People were dressed in costumes, blasting music, and drinking alcohol. I even saw some standing on graves while setting off fireworks dangerously close to the trees. I crossed the road just to be safe!
**Editor:** Did you feel that the celebrations were outright offensive to the memory of those buried there?
**Resident:** Absolutely. It felt like a total disregard for the place. While I understand wanting to celebrate Halloween, there’s a time and a place for everything. A cemetery is meant for reflection and respect—not partying.
**Editor:** What was the response from the local council or law enforcement regarding this issue?
**Resident:** Well, I heard some officials suggesting locking the cemetery at night, which seems reasonable, but they didn’t want to restrict access for those who genuinely want to visit. As for the police, they only learned about the chaos after it was over. It just feels like this problem wasn’t taken seriously until it was too late.
**Editor:** Do you think there are steps the community can take to prevent this from happening again?
**Resident:** I hope so! Maybe more awareness about the importance of respecting such spaces is necessary. Also, perhaps organizing designated events elsewhere could keep the spirit of Halloween alive without disturbing the peace of the cemetery.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your experience and insights. It’s crucial for communities to find ways to celebrate while respecting their shared spaces.
**Resident:** Thank you for highlighting this! Here’s hoping next year’s Halloween brings a bit more decorum.