Grave painting of Limerick opera superstar 'done without permission' under investigation

MANAGEMENT of the London graveyard where the world-famous Limerick-born soprano Catherine Hayes is buried have said the repainting of her grave was done without permission.

Volunteers from the Limerick Association in London led by Shaun Connery decided to give the superstar’s final resting place at Kensal Green, north-west London, a face-lift, painting it in the green-and-white of the Treaty County and applying black emulsion to the tombstone.

Although it’s been acknowledged the group carried out the work with “the best intentions” their efforts have been described as “misguided and inappropriate” by the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery, a charity which exists for the preservation and conservation of the graveyard, recognised as one of the “magnificent seven” in the British capital.

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In response to a query from the Leader, the General Cemetery Company, which manages the facility confirmed that permission was not given to repaint the monument, and talks are under way with the Limerick Association in London, which exists to support Treaty men and women in the city.

“If the appropriate paperwork had been submitted detailing their intentions, the General Cemetery Company would not have approved this work to be carried out. It is not in keeping with the cemetery, and the paint applied may have damaged the memorial stone,” the firm added.

The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery charity have said the memorial needs to be reinstated to the condition it was in before September, with the work to be carried out by someone with the right skills and experience.

The painting of historic headstone is generally discouraged by heritage groups unless done by professionals.

When applying for permission to do this at Kensal Green, an application must be made listing professionals and materials being used. Only then is a decision made.

This is because if it’s done incorrectly, it can damage the stone and accelerate its decay.

For his part, Mr Connery, who hails from Kilmallock, has said he attempted to contact cemetery management and Limerick Civic Trust to establish ownership of the plot.

Back in 2007, Limerick Civic Trust were given money to carry out restoration work on the memorial to Ms Hayes, whose legacy is recognised in the naming of Limerick’s Opera Square development.

Mr Connery said he would be happy to remove the paint, and part of the reason he decided to carry out the work in the first place is because he felt he was strengthening the monument.

He said he would like to work alongside the Civic Trust and the management company at the cemetery to get a new monument in place at the grave.

Mr Connery said he’d like to raise money to do this.

“She was one of the top icons of Limerick, and it was a shame to leave it the way it was,” he added.

“We just want to make sure Catherine Hayes’s memory is kept and not just brushed under the carpet.”

David O'Brien, chief executive of Limerick Civic Trust admitted he was "lost for words" when he saw the repaint of the gravestone.

"What could possibly be the rational for such behaviour? How would you and I react if we saw green and white stirps painted across the Treaty Stone or even, red, white and blue stripes painted across the statue of Sarsfield celebrating his foreign allegiance," asked the Civic Trust boss.

He said the organisation would be delighted to assist with the cleaning and restoration of the monument.

Historian Sheldon Goodman, who leads tours of London cemeteries added: "It was clearly done with good intent, and particularly in the world we live in today, that's something to be celebrated to an extent. But you have to have historic sensitivity. It's an active place of mourning. What if you've got someone who has family who have recently buried there? Are they going to be scared now that someone iks going to be doing up their grave? Where does it stop? It's lovely they've taken the time to draw focus on this woman. But if you're going to do it, do it well."

He wrote a blogpost focusing on issues around grave restoration.