Columbarium wall to be constructed in Mayo town cemetery

Castlebar councillors have made progress in their campaign to have a columbarium installed at the local cemetery.

The matter was raised at last week's municipal district meeting by Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne - a local undertaker - who called on the council to ensure that the facility for interring cremated remains is installed in Castlebar's New Cemetery. Some months ago, it was announced that Mayo County Council had selected Crossmolina Cemetery for the county's first columbarium.

Asking whether the columbariums would be rolled out in other cemeteries around Mayo, Cllr Kilcoyne remarked: “I mean, it’s not the Taj Mahal they need to build.”

Cllr Ger Deere said the response to earlier requests for the facility in Castlebar was to “see how it goes in Crossmolina”, adding: “That’s the daftest thing I’ve heard. We shouldn’t wait. We are the county town. Cllr Kilcoyne, Rocky Moran and Coady’s undertakers can verify the amount of people using cremation services now and there is a demand for it in Castlebar and there is also money set aside for one. 

"As Cllr Kilcoyne said, it is not the Great Wall of China we are building. This is a necessity for the people, it is our job as an MD to provide it so let’s move on with it.”

Cathaoirleach Cllr Donna Sheridan said it was “exceptionally disappointing" that the columbarium went to Crossmolina, adding: “You would think it would have gone to one of the bigger urban areas. This is something we need to roll out right across the municpal district as soon as possible. They are space saving, which is everything we need at the moment.”

Cllr Sheridan added she had “nothing against Crossmolina" but money needed to be set aside for a columbarium in Castlebar.

Cllr Blackie Gavin said the council also needed to look at another extension to the New Cemetery in Castlebar.

“It is nearly full at the moment and is advancing all the way to the lake and that needs to be stopped. There was a limitation line put on it before and it is critical it does not come nearer the water. I ask that this be included as an item on the agenda for the next meeting.” 

Director of Services John Condon said the columbarium is going ahead in Castlebar but it will require planning approval from councillors as it is larger than the one in Crossmolina. 

“A design has been requested and will be put before you. It is possible it will be in for planning before Christmas.” 

The announcement was warmly welcomed by members, with Cllr Cyril Burke remarking: “We are just dying to have it.”