Call for major repairs to storm-hit Irvine kirkyard

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MAJOR damage to Irvine's Old Parish Church has still to be repaired - almost a year after Storm Éowyn tore through the historic kirkyard.

Largs sections of the boundary walls and centuries old memorials at the listed building were wrecked as trees came crashing down during the storm on January 24, 2025.

One of the disturbed burial sites (Image: Billy Kerr)

The roots of one large tree pulled up by the storm tore up nearby graves, leaving small fragments of human bone visible.

North Ayrshire Council carried out some remedial work to the south part of the boundary wall soon after the storm - but large parts of the kirkyard remain in a poor state.

North Ayrshire Council has admitted that work is unlikely to be carried out until the weather improves next Spring.

The local authority said repairing damaged headstones involved substantial technical challenges.

Some remedial work was carried out at the South boundary wall (Image: Billy Kerr)

Church officer and local historian Billy Kerr said the storm had caused "catastrophic damage" to the kirkyard.

He said: "I think NAC is duty bound to do the right thing by rebuilding the tree smashed wall and correcting affected memorials. 

"They did a good job with the remedial work on the south side of the boundary wall.

"However, this isolated area is not the main cause for concern - it's the old wall to the north that was demolished by a massive tree blown over during last January's storm.

"Little, if anything has been done here other than put Heras fencing around it.

"There are also public health and safety concerns here. The damaged wall has a stone pediment sitting precariously, easily accessible by boys walking on the wall. 

"I'm not having a go at NAC here as I know it's a major undertaking, but locals should know what's going on."

Wall damage (Image: Billy Kerr)

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The storm damage was quite extensive and, following a tender award, remedial works have been undertaken to some areas of the cemetery wall. 

“Investigations are ongoing regarding reinstatement of damaged headstones, which due to their size and historic nature present substantial technical challenges.

“Potential options are currently being developed for costing, with works unlikely until improved weather in the spring of 2026.”

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