€4.8m. investment as space in some Mayo cemeteries reaches 'crisis level'

BURIAL grounds in Mayo are to see an investment of €4.8 million in the coming years, for extensions and upkeep.

At a time when plot fees have been increased to €1,200, and some cemeteries running close to capacity, councillors have aired a number of concerns.

Achill Councillor Paul McNamara said cemeteries have been starved of funding, with just GMA funding from elected members available to them. And but for the voluntary contributions and work, they would be in some state.

With fees rising, how were the burial grounds going to be funded going forward, he wanted to know. Representatives from two cemeteries have contacted him recently about the need for footpath repairs and general maintenance.

They should be receiving an allocation for these works, or else Mayo County Council should carry out the works.

Another issue is where they are running out of space. However, cemeteries like Bunnacurry and Slievemore back onto commonage and SAC areas. A plan needs to be thought out for these areas, he said, requesting an update at municipal level on how they will be funded. A long-term plan is needed for how the €4.8m is spent.

Belmullet Councillor Gerry Councillor said they had been trying to extend Carrowtigue and Kilgalligan cemetery for years. It's a SAC out there and now we can't bury our dead as the land is designated.

How ironic, he said. The only reason it is a SAC is because the people buried there protected the land, and now their people can't be buried in it.

Ballycroy was another graveyard looking for an extension. The NPWS gave ground but it still hasn't gone ahead.Councillors, he added, should have received a note about the price of burial plots being increased, not just the undertakers.

Councillor Harry Barrett said the situation with space in cemeteries is 'at crisis level', citing Islandeady and Glenisland. If needed, CPO land to make sure there is space.

Chief executive Kevin Kelly agreed there isn't enough money going into cemeteries. There is maintenance in the budget and also GMA, which is around €144,000 per year.

In 2021, fees received met around 55% of expenditure. In 2025 it is estimated fees received will meet 53.5% of expenditure on cemeteries.

There has been no increase in fees since 2011, he added.

Importantly, it is about the future programme of €4.8m, to be advanced based on priority. A number of cemeteries are down to single numbers of plots and they need to ensure that people can be buried in their own communities.

The deficit in maintenance was acknowledged, but priority has to be about availability of plots.