Cemetery gates completed

The new main gate to the New Abbey cemetery is now finished, thanks to the provision of the gates by Ger Kearins and voluntary work by a number of local craftsmen, including Matt Doran (pictured below on left with Ger).



The gates incorporate a cross design that is common on the old graves in the cemetery and which can also be found on the new gates installed at the parish church some years ago. They are also features on the limestone piers of the church gateways.

The new gate also has a Sacred Heart motif, which is also common on the old gravestones.

There's a scatter of local history in some of the other materials used in the rebuilding of the gates. The stones were originally in the old schoolhouse in Two Mile House, The recycled bricks were provided by Kennedys of Ballyshannon.

Meanwhile, a finishing touch to the recent refurbishments only requires the finding of about 18,000 euros for a tarmacadam job.

"It could be divided between three, with maybe a County Council grant taking up part of it," John Brady told the Diary.

Brian Byrne.