Residents furious over neglect of historic cemetery

GENUINE concern exists in the community that historic Bluebell Cemetery could be forgotten under a mountain of weeds and wild flowers.

The graveyard dates back over 300 years and is owned by Dublin City Council.

The earliest known gravestone dates back to 1713, according to records with the Department of Arts and Heritage, but the graveyard also contains the remains of people buried in more recent times.

Bluebell resident Philip Nolan, often visits the cemetery to lay flowers for a friend who was knocked over and killed by a car on the road when he was a child.

“I was so furious when I saw the graveyard neglected. It’s open seven days a week, the gate is never closed.

“I think it is a total lack of respect,” he said.

“The graveyard is full of local history itself. A local school has been there doing a project.

“I contacted DCC in June and was told it was to do with wildflowers and biodiversity.

“I’m all for saving the planet but let’s have some respect.”

Bluebell Cemetery

Bluebell Cemetery suffered serious damage in 2018 when vandals damaged over 20 headstones, leading to increased garda patrols and the council installing temporary fencing to obstruct access to the cemetery after dark.

Tommy Coombes, Manager of Bluebell Development Project and a coordinator with Bluebell Community Centre, says they are really concerned about the cemetery.

“We have included the graveyard in our new vision of Bluebell’s regeneration, from the perspective of heritage and history.

“If we are planning for its future, we need a day-today maintenance.

“Over the last two years DCC have moved a few staff about so we might get a bit of traction.

“I’m all for wildflowers, but we certainly need somebody with the will to do something.”

Philip Nolan, a former Fine Gael candidate in the local elections, contacted representatives from all local parties as it is “about the community not about politics.”

“Cllr Doolan got back to me, Cllr Nicoullaud raised it at the committee meeting. The graveyard was looked after in previous years, but I think the caretaker retired.

“Then there was fly-tipping, vandalism of headstones which got media attention, and now they’ve let everything grow over it.

“Who is going to look after people who can’t look after their own grave?

“I was in Palmerstown to visit my mother’s grave and over in Newlands, Bluebell is the only one in bad shape.

“I’m asking DCC to look at it and tidy it up. If neglected, they might let it grow over and won’t have to worry about it.”

The Echo have contacted DCC for comment.