'Deeply personal connection': The Kilkenny community protecting its heritage

Some places become part of a family's story over generations. St Catherine's Church and Graveyard at Rathbeagh is one such place.

It is far more than an archaeological monument or historic ruin; it is a place where history, memory, community and landscape have remained intertwined for centuries, Valerie Walshe says.

“Two years ago my cousin Johanna Walshe our neighbour Kathie Hamilton and I came together, along with the support of our community to prepare and submit an application under the Community Monuments Fund for finance to help conserve St Catherine's Church and Graveyard. Our shared ambition was not simply to preserve an historic structure, but to safeguard an important part of our local identity for future generations.

“As a curator, artist and fine art photographer, my professional life has centred on documenting and advocating for Ireland's historic built heritage, particularly rural vernacular architecture and landscapes. Through my photographic work I have spent many years recording places that are quietly disappearing, believing that preservation begins with understanding and appreciation. My work has increasingly focused on demonstrating how heritage can become a catalyst for sustainable cultural tourism and rural regeneration.

“My connection to St Catherine's, however, is deeply personal. My family has lived in this area since the 18th century, and for generations, we have maintained strong ties with this remarkable site. For many years my cousins Johanna, Michael and Vally, together with their late father before them and our grandfather, has quietly undertaken the responsibility of caring for the graveyard, ensuring that it remains a respectful and welcoming place for the families whose loved ones are buried there. Their dedication reflects a long tradition of local stewardship that has helped preserve the site despite limited resources.”

The significance of St Catherine's extends well beyond the church itself. Situated within the historic landscape of Rathbeagh, the area contains evidence of continuous human activity spanning many centuries. Archaeological remains, ancient field systems and the surrounding landscape together tell the story of a community that has evolved while maintaining its connection to the past.

“My own home forms part of this historic landscape. The property adjoins the graveyard, and many of the traditional buildings within our courtyard were constructed using finely cut limestone recovered from earlier structures on the site. These carefully crafted stones, shaped by generations long before us, remain visible today within the walls of our farm buildings, providing a tangible reminder that the history of Rathbeagh continues to live within the everyday fabric of the local landscape.

“One of the most encouraging aspects of the recent conservation initiative was the response from the local community. Before the archaeological impact assessment took place, neighbours and volunteers came together to clear vegetation and improve access around the church and graveyard. Their collective effort greatly enhanced the visibility of the site, allowing archaeologists to better understand the extent and condition of its surviving features while demonstrating the pride local people continue to take in their shared heritage.

“That willingness to work together reflects what St Catherine's has always represented. It is first and foremost a place of remembrance, where generations of local families gather to honour parents, grandparents, neighbours and friends. Yet it also remains one of the area's most important meeting places. Families reconnect while tending graves, neighbours exchange news, visitors discover the history of the locality, and conversations are shared across generations. It continues to perform the social role it has fulfilled for centuries.

“The funding application represents an important step towards securing the long-term future of St Catherine's Church and Graveyard. Conservation is not simply about protecting old stones; it is about preserving the stories, traditions and relationships that give those stones meaning. It recognises that heritage belongs not only to historians and archaeologists, but also to the communities who have cared for these places over generations.

“For me, this project brings together both my professional work and my family's history. As someone who has dedicated much of my career to recording Ireland's historic landscapes through photography and advocating for the conservation of our rural built heritage, it is especially meaningful to contribute to the protection of a place that has shaped my own family's story for more than three hundred years.

“St Catherine's, Rathbeagh is a reminder that heritage is not something locked away in the past. It is something we continue to inherit, care for and pass on. Through community effort, shared responsibility and a commitment to conservation, we can ensure that this remarkable place remains a source of remembrance, connection and pride for generations yet to come.”