Humanist weddings and civil ceremonies at ancient Clare abbey damaging grave slabs

Also, Carrowkeel passage tombs in Co. Sligo were vandalised extensively over the weekend

Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan aid the activity at Corcomroe Abbey in Co. Clare has led to concerns at damage to the grave slabs in its nave in the front of the altar.

The staging of unauthorised humanist weddings and civil ceremonies at an ancient 13th-century abbey in the Burren, Co. Clare, is resulting in damage to grave slabs there.

Local family members are also upset over litter, broken glass and bottles left behind after such events.

Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan confirmed that as “a last resort” the Office of Public Works has now erected signage at Corcomroe Abbey advising visitors that such events are not allowed at the national monument.

Corcomroe Abbey was built in the 13th century. According to Mr O’Donovan, the abbey is regularly advertised by wedding celebrants as a location for humanist or civil ceremonies.

Mr O’Donovan said the activity at Corcomroe has led to concerns at damage to the grave slabs in the nave of the abbey in the front of the altar.

“Chairs and other items are being placed on the grave slabs which leave scratches behind. The graveyard is an active graveyard regularly visited by family members who have been upset by finding litter, broken glass, bottles, and flower arrangements left behind after these unauthorised events.” 

He said the OPW has, in the past, tried to engage with known celebrants who regularly advertise the abbey as a wedding location to request that they remove any reference to the national monument from their advertising.

The Limerick TD said there are a number of sites where the OPW facilitates humanist weddings and civil ceremonies and these venues were chosen after consultation with the Civil Marriage Registration Authorities in Ireland.

Meanwhile, a national megalithic site in Sligo was vandalised extensively over the weekend. Carrowkeel passage tombs in Co. Sligo are understood to have been attacked on Saturday.

The National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was notified on Saturday of incidents of damage and vandalism at the Carrowkeel Passage Tomb Complex in County Sligo, a National Monument in State Guardianship
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— Office of Public Works (@opwireland) October 16, 2023

The OPW and the National Monuments Service said they were notified of the damage.

“The etching of extensive graffiti across various architectural stones of a number of the 5,500-year-old passage tombs is being treated very seriously, as is the apparent collapse of an entrance stone to one of the tombs.”

A damage report is to be sent to gardaí asking them to formally investigate it as a criminal act. “Such interference is a serious offence and can lead to significant penalties being imposed,” they noted.