RAHAN MONASTIC SITE - Offaly County Council

6.0 CONSERVATION POLICIES6.7 EcologyPolicy 7a: Entrance HedgingA beech hedge has recently been planted at the entrance to the site. Beech is not a native species and is not inkeeping with the character of the site. Native species should be encouraged at the boundary of the site as a moreappropriate alternative. The beech hedge at the entrance should be removed and the existing native hawthornsaplings behind it encouraged with pruning and infill planting.Policy 7b: Graveyard YewThe Yew tree should be fenced off to prevent compaction and grazing by animals and direct damage by humans.The tree’s crown should be reduced back to the healthy inner crown and this process should be repeated every10-15 years. The dense ivy needs to be removed from the crown and stem of the tree.Policy 7c: Boundary of Catholic GraveyardThe hedge should be kept breasted and trimmed on a two to three year cycle to encourage density. Any infillplanting required should be with native species.Policy 7c: Sycamore TreesThe sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus to the west of the yew tree needs to be removed. The stump would need to betreated so that it does not coppice. Other sycamore trees within the walls of the graveyard should be removedwhere they are having a significant direct impact on the walls and gravestones.Policy 7d: Hawthorn TreeThe ivy needs to be removed from the hawthorn Crataegus monogyna outside the graveyard wall.Policy 7e: Boundary of Catholic GraveyardThe hedge should be kept breasted and trimmed on a two to three year cycle to encourage density. Any infillplanting required should be with native species.6.8 MaintenancePolicy 8: Site MaintenanceEssential information about each structure including materials, construction, maintenance and housekeepingprocedures, should be recorded and updated regularly for each part of the site. This information should be heldby the Church of Ireland for the Church of St Carthage and the OPW for the structures in their care, with copiesheld by the County Library Service of Offaly County Council.68Plates 61. Pastoral setting of Rahan monastery showing the small church in foreground with grazing sheep and naveand chancel church in background.