Sea-CChange: Kerry Graveyards study
a three-year research programme with Utrecht University and Newcaste university to explore how coastal communities perceive and adapt to climate change in the context of their cultural heritage and how this can inform climate mitigation and adaptation. |
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Funded by
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Overview
The Sea-CCHange collaboration:
SEA-CCHange focuses on six international cases, including coastal communities in Ireland, UK, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. The consortium partners span a wide range of inter- and transdisciplinary topics and societal partners that span local government, research policy, citizen science, fisheries and regional cultural heritage, who will collaborate to form a socio-ecological archive on/for the coastal community experience and promote impact and outreach to have their voices heard.
The Kerry Graveyards Case Studies:
Over the next 50 years Kerry will become warmer, and will experience more extreme rainfall, droughts, and intense storms. Coastal areas will be particularly impacted given the additional hazard of Sea Level Rise (up to 80cm by 2100).
This study focusses on key historic coastal graveyards in the ownership and management of Kerry County Council (KCC) - all but one of which are still in active use . The sites are all recorded on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), which provides them with statutory protections under the National Monuments Act 1930-2014. The hazards of most concern for all sites (identified during the research process) were coastal erosion, coastal flooding, structural collapse and vegetation growth. Two additional hazards of wild-fire and maladaptation were identified at individual sites.
It is difficult to know what to do with the sites, given their historical and cultural values and the climate hazards they face. This project aims to collaborate with key stakeholders of the sites on determining the values of the sites and how these values can be maintained or transformed by adapting to the climate hazards they face.
SEA-CCHange focuses on six international cases, including coastal communities in Ireland, UK, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. The consortium partners span a wide range of inter- and transdisciplinary topics and societal partners that span local government, research policy, citizen science, fisheries and regional cultural heritage, who will collaborate to form a socio-ecological archive on/for the coastal community experience and promote impact and outreach to have their voices heard.
The Kerry Graveyards Case Studies:
Over the next 50 years Kerry will become warmer, and will experience more extreme rainfall, droughts, and intense storms. Coastal areas will be particularly impacted given the additional hazard of Sea Level Rise (up to 80cm by 2100).
This study focusses on key historic coastal graveyards in the ownership and management of Kerry County Council (KCC) - all but one of which are still in active use . The sites are all recorded on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), which provides them with statutory protections under the National Monuments Act 1930-2014. The hazards of most concern for all sites (identified during the research process) were coastal erosion, coastal flooding, structural collapse and vegetation growth. Two additional hazards of wild-fire and maladaptation were identified at individual sites.
It is difficult to know what to do with the sites, given their historical and cultural values and the climate hazards they face. This project aims to collaborate with key stakeholders of the sites on determining the values of the sites and how these values can be maintained or transformed by adapting to the climate hazards they face.
Our Events
Heritage HUNT AT bALLYDUFF SCHOOLS
Dr. Cathy Daly and Ruth Graterol headed out to schools nearby the Killmore Graveyard, Co. Kerry. Also known as the ‘Cillín’ is a site of many unmarked graves, facing the Atlantic Ocean, it is a beautifully tranquil site that is special to locals and is at risk of damage from more increased storms.
The site is a very interesting type of graveyard. Only one definite headstone with an associated plot is visible but no visible inscription surviving. It's the final resting place of unbaptised children, unknown sailors washed ashore and some local families.
There is some local knowledge of those interred in the graveyard. One internet reference from the Kerryman Newspaper mentions Alfred Faulkner Wheelhouse, a Junior 7th Engineer in the Mercantile Marine on board the S.S Lusitania. He was killed when the Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine in 1915. The website refers to his parents Matilda Wheelhouse and Frederick Faulkner Wheelhouse, buried within ‘Kilmore Burial Ground, Near Ballyduff’ (www.kerrylibrary.ie).
Last week, our research team engaged with primary and secondary school classes about the importance of the site and the impacts that the climate has had and will have in the future on this site. The students had a day out, inspecting the site and taking note of any damages noticed on the site due to weather and climate.
Thank you to Sliabh A'Mhadra National School and Causeway Comprehensive School for allowing our team to come and talk to the students, and to the students for their participation and enthusiasm.
The site is a very interesting type of graveyard. Only one definite headstone with an associated plot is visible but no visible inscription surviving. It's the final resting place of unbaptised children, unknown sailors washed ashore and some local families.
There is some local knowledge of those interred in the graveyard. One internet reference from the Kerryman Newspaper mentions Alfred Faulkner Wheelhouse, a Junior 7th Engineer in the Mercantile Marine on board the S.S Lusitania. He was killed when the Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine in 1915. The website refers to his parents Matilda Wheelhouse and Frederick Faulkner Wheelhouse, buried within ‘Kilmore Burial Ground, Near Ballyduff’ (www.kerrylibrary.ie).
Last week, our research team engaged with primary and secondary school classes about the importance of the site and the impacts that the climate has had and will have in the future on this site. The students had a day out, inspecting the site and taking note of any damages noticed on the site due to weather and climate.
Thank you to Sliabh A'Mhadra National School and Causeway Comprehensive School for allowing our team to come and talk to the students, and to the students for their participation and enthusiasm.
Heritage Week event: heritage hunt
As part of National Heritage Week 2025, the SEA-CCChange project invited the public to a family-friendly Heritage Hunt on Abbey Island. This engaging event offered a chance to explore the island’s historic graveyard and medieval abbey ruins, uncover stories of its natural and built heritage, and learn how climate change is impacting coastal sites like this one.
Thank you to all who attended and shared their stories and connections to the site. We will be collating the information and stories shared as part of our research project.
Thank you to all who attended and shared their stories and connections to the site. We will be collating the information and stories shared as part of our research project.
Introduction Event
On February 22nd, we joined local communities in Cahersiveen and Castlegregory to present the Sea-CCHange project and start discussions on the graveyards sites. We had a great turnout and lively discussions - we look forward to developing this project further with the different stakeholders. You can view some of the photos and videos of the events below! Thank you to FutureFocus21 and the Maharees Conservation Association for helping us organise the events!
A tour with Cathy of some of the sites
Abbey Island
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Kilshannig
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