St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow: Where the Dead Can Finally Rest in Peace
Ah, St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow, the go-to spot for all your late-night revelry needs. Or so it seemed, until Carlow County Council put the kibosh on things. As of November 25th, the cemetery will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 8 pm to 8 am. But before we get into the details, let’s set the scene. Imagine a graveyard at night, the darkness punctuated only by the glow of fireworks, the distant thrum of music, and the sound of merry-makers… well, making merry. It’s like a scene from a zombie movie, minus the zombies, plus more puke and broken bottles.
According to , locals were "outraged" (we’ll get to that word later) by the sight of people setting off fireworks and having a generally raucous time in the cemetery on Halloween. We mean, who needs trick-or-treating when you can have a full-on rave among the tombstones, eh? Carlow gardaí were quick to remind everyone to report any anti-social behaviour they witness at the cemetery, presumably with a heavy sigh and a "kids these days" shake of the head.
Now, you may be thinking, "What about the people who need to visit their loved ones in the dead of night?" Fear not, the council has got that covered too. Pedestrian access will remain open at all times, because, as we all know, there’s no such thing as a zombie attack during the day.
So, why did Carlow County Council take the drastic measure of closing the cemetery at night? The answer lies in the tried and tested tradition of teenage experimentation. When a few curious souls start a new trend, and word spreads that St Mary’s is the place to be at midnight, things tend to escalate quickly. Think a latter-day equivalent of The Running Man, but instead of a TV broadcast, you’ve got YouTube streams of kids having the "maddest night, dude" in the graveyard. (Side note: someone, please start a reality show where people do questionable stunts in graveyards at night.)
Carlow County Council seems to be aware of the cemetery’s magnetic pull on would-be ravers. Perhaps that’s why they made this call. You know the phrase "prudence dictates?" Yeah, prudence had a lot of sway here. Councilor-sense must have told them to take away the means, thereby breaking the spirits of the more rambunctious of graveyard rascals. If teenagers think they’re gonna break out the speakers, bust open the bottle shop and bring the beats, why bother when there’s gonna be a garda just round the corner writing everyone’s parents an unreasonably-sized phone number?
You have to ask, who’d benefit most from all-night fun times in St Mary’s Cemetery? Carlow party suppliers? Off-the-streets funeral director insurance services? Car park construction businesses? "Someone make us a 2020 budget for these types?" If the night-lurkers of the city just wouldn’t let this alone in Carlow and this night is a long day without St Mary’s revelers we’d think: The Dead Rest Easier But…
A landmark decision has been reached to restrict vehicular access to St Mary’s Cemetery in Carlow town at night, following numerous concerns and complaints about persistent anti-social behaviour, including late-night gatherings and unruly conduct, which have marred the tranquility of the burial ground. A directive issued by Carlow County Council has come into effect as of Monday, November 25, stating that St Mary’s Cemetery will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 8 pm to 8 am daily.
The local authority has assured that pedestrian access to the cemetery will continue to be available at all times, allowing mourners and visitors to pay their respects without restriction, while maintaining the safety and serenity of the cemetery at night. This measure aims to curb the increasing instances of anti-social behaviour, ensuring that the cemetery remains a place of reverence and contemplation.
The recent surge in anti-social behaviour at St Mary’s Cemetery had sparked widespread calls from the local community for increased security measures to be put in place, particularly at night. The situation had become increasingly unbearable, with reports of late-night revelry, fireworks, and the consumption of alcohol within the cemetery, prompting outrage and disgust among locals. Subsequently, a front-page story in The Nationalist highlighted the gravity of the issue and the urgent need for action.
In an effort to combat anti-social behaviour, Carlow gardaí have urged the public to report any incidents of disorderly conduct or disturbance at the cemetery, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in maintaining law and order in the area. By working together, the local authority and residents hope to restore the dignity and reverence of St Mary’s Cemetery, ensuring that it remains a peaceful haven for those seeking solace and reflection.
