Concern over 'quare state' Mayo graveyards

Graveyards in the county would be in a ‘quare state’ were it not for the work of local communities.

The comments were made at a recent meeting of Mayo County Council. Achill-based Fianna Fail councillor Paul McNamara said only the goodwill of volunteers is maintaining many graveyards in his area.

Mayo County Council set aside €4.8 million in the 2025 Budget for additional graveyards in order to address the lack of burial space in some communities across the county with just €25,000 set aside for maintenance of existing graveyards. “We provide money out of our GMA funding which is the only money available to them in our constituency and the graveyards are starved of funding. But for voluntary contributions in communities and voluntary work our graveyards would be in a quare state."

 “It needs to be looked at thoroughly and a lot more money needs to be made available.The footpaths in a lot of graveyards need upgrading and they cannot get it done. I urge that more money be put into the graveyards and a lot more thought on how this €4.8 million is going to be spent,” he said.

Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly said the council has to prioritise the provision of additional space.“There are a number of c emeteries across the county where they are down to almost single numbers of plots that are available. We need to ensure that people are buried in their own communities.

“We are going to work on it from a priority basis and we are going to have to acquire the lands that are required at a reasonable cost. If people are looking for extraordinary money for a purchase that is going to be a bit of a barrier. I recognise that in addition to those extensions there is a deficit in maintenance works and the likes of paths. We will look at that but the priority has to be about ensuring the availability of plots and ensuring people can be buried in their own community,” he said.