Preserving St. Cuthbert’s Church and associated graveyard

St. Cuthbert’s Park has within it St. Cuthbert’s Church and associated graveyard which are listed as Recorded Monument
DU017-038 which refers to Kilmahuddrick Church, graveyard and possible moated site. The Council has endeavoured
to protect this monument but such work has not been successful although the level of vandalism to the structures
has reduced considerably.

During our site visit to St. Cuthberts Park, the sub-group noted that both the church and
graveyard have been severely vandalized with nearly all gravestones now knocked over and/or severely damaged. It
was also noted that the security fencing that had been erected some years previously to protect the ruins had to be
removed as it actually added to the security issues since both drinkers and drug users were able to prize apart the
fencing pales to gain access to the site.





 Another issue in relation to this monument is the fact that whilst the feature is
located in the park it is (nominally at least) under the control of the Environmental Services Department.
The site has never had an archaeology dig and working on it would potentially act as a catalyst for the future
rejuvenation of the area.


As discussed in section 4.2 there is an opportunity for a scheme that could integrate training
and experience for unemployed Archaeologists, Horticulturists, Landscape Architects, Stonemasons, Conservation
Architects, Historians and general operatives amongst others that could be drawn from both the local Deansrath
area but also the wider Clondalkin and Lucan area where there are likely to be unemployed personnel with the above
backgrounds.

Recommendations:
• The sub-group recommends that the Council prioritise efforts to preserve St. Cuthbert’s Church and
associated graveyard as a pilot-project from which lessons may be learned with respect to the preservation
of heritage features in other parks in our county. In particular with respect to St. Cuthbert’s Church and
associated graveyard this report recommends:
i) Responsibility as well as budgetary provision for the maintenance of the Recorded Monument should
be formally devolved to the Parks and Landscape Department;
ii) An assessment of the church and graveyard should be carried out to advise preparation of proposed
programme of works and to provide the necessary information to the National Monuments section
so that we can obtain their permission to carry out works to the Recorded Monument;
iii) The vegetation should be cut back thereby offering the site passive surveillance from the adjacent
houses;
















iv) Broken gravestones should be removed, catalogued and stored;
v) Pilot-project could involve a community-employment or training scheme.
• The sub-group recommends that the Heritage Council be invited to support and part-fund a pilot-project to
assess and preserve St. Cuthbert’s Church and associated graveyard.

text source: http://www.williamlavelle.ie/wp-content/uploads/Final-Report-of-the-JPC-Parks-sub-group-Sept-2010.pdf