Landowners put up this sign at the entrance of Killone Abbey, Co. Clare barring access via their land to an abbey from 1190, and a local graveyard dating back centuries (where four of my great grandparents are buried). Is it legal to bar access to graveyards, historical abbeys, etc., like this?
by Utiszzz
16 comments
If a place has been declared a national monument, then my understanding is that the landowner must allow reasonable access to it.
Probably an insurance issue.
Walk around it
Just to provide credit for the photo (as a local living abroad) it’s from [https://twitter.com/pilgrim_med_Ire/status/1437053152914808836](https://twitter.com/pilgrim_med_Ire/status/1437053152914808836)
Came across the [Wikipedia article for the abbey “warning of a bull in the field”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killone_Abbey). Googled and found tourists [no longer able to access the abbey and graveyard](https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186597-d8489411-r835579481-Killone_Abbey-Ennis_County_Clare.html), including the Tweet mentioned previously.
To understand the history, a transcription of the graves in Killone Abbey is available [from the Clare Library](https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/graves/killone_abbey_graveyard_surname.htm) and talks of graves from the 1700’s.
The estate [has a history of “landed gentry”](https://clarecastleballyea.clareheritage.org/topics/big-houses-in-clarecastle-and-ballyea/newhall-house-2).
The roadway from that sign to the abbey is fenced off, and there was no problem with access until around two years ago. Masses were regularly held down there. While I respect the right of the residents of the land and Newhall house to their privacy, I respect more the right of people to have access to their heritage. The two are not mutually exclusive.
This is the only access I know of to the abbey and the graveyard.
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning-a-home/home-owners/right-of-way/
Like many things lately, I bet this is a consequence of the grip insurance has and worse again, how damn easy it is to sue someone else for your own stupidity. There’s a good chance some eejit fell over on the land and sued the land owner.
Contact the Office of Public Works.
There is a right of way. It’s number is CE57050F.
Someone keeps altering the Wikipedia article to remove any information on the right of way.
Yes, in the absence of a public right of way the landowner can revoke access to private land.
This has happened already in Clare at the Kilquane Cemetery, but I don’t know if this was ever resolved. There was talk of registering a public right of way there.
They got this all screwed up, it’s supposed to be:
Private? No.
Entry!
What’s the worst that could happen if you just disregard the sign and walked on as normal?
Iirc landowners learned that they have no special protection against claims by people that trip/fall on their land that has a right of way.
Signs like this are their response.
Most likely someone dickhead acted the bollix. Dogs, rubbish, sued, pick your stupid.
Check out old CSO maps of the area, the right of way should be marked
Land grabs happening all over the state at the moment
Right of way under common law.
🎶 There was a big high wall there
That tried to stop me
A sign was painted
Said Private property
But on the far side
It didn’t say nothing….
This lands made for you and me
This land is your land
This land is my land
From Dublin City
To the Arran Islands
From Killiney Hill
To the glendalough waters
This lands made for you and me 🎶
https://youtu.be/wxiMrvDbq3s