A campaign is underway to urge the Office of Public Works, to clean up and renovate the grave of Mary O'Connell, wife of the The Liberator Daniel O'Connell.
Mrs O'Connell died 189 years ago, and is buried in the ruins of a church on Abbey Island, not too far from Derrynane House where the couple lived.
Paul Ryan, a retired tour guide from Waterford who's fronting the campaign, says the headstone has weathered badly, with holes in the mortar, and the grave has become overgrown with weeds.
Advertisement
As Mary is not officially regarded as an historical figure, the State is under no obligation to carry out any renovation works on her grave.
But Mr Ryan has been in contact with Kevin Boxer Moran, Minister of State at the OPW, to ask him to make an exception:
Advertisement
