Cemetery gates in Ashbourne to open at weekends after public outcry
A vehicular access to St Declan’s Cemetery in Ashbourne will now be available at weekends following public pressure and a petition calling for safer entry.
Meath County Council confirmed that Ashbourne Municipal District staff will open the cemetery gates each weekend from 8am to 5pm “until the permanent solution is in place.”
Works began recently on installing a new automated gate system, which will set St Declan’s opening hours at 8.30am to 9pm in summer and 8.30am to 5pm in winter.
The announcement comes after growing criticism from families over weekend closures, which forced many visitors—particularly the elderly—to park along the busy N2 and walk to the cemetery entrance.
“When my father was unable to visit her on weekends, he was devastated,” Ms Matthews said earlier this week.
Ms Matthews said her campaign was more than her own family.
“I’m doing this for the whole community—for all elderly people, families with children, and anyone with limited mobility who wants to visit their departed loved ones safely.”
“Weekends are when most people have time to come, yet they could not access the cemetery without risk.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Helen Meyer welcomed the announcement, calling it “great news.”
She said she and her fellow councillors had been working with the council to have the gates opened on weekends and that delays were due to the need for an automated gate system.
“Thanks to Michelle Matthews’ efforts with her petition and her advocacy for raising awareness about the challenges faced by elderly people—including her father—the work on the cemetery was expedited,” Cllr Meyer said.
“The council has agreed to open the gates on weekends while continuing to work on the installation of the automated system. A big congratulations to Michelle for her hard work and dedication. Her efforts truly helped push this initiative over the finish line.”