Mayo's first columbarium wall is opened

The first columbarium wall in Mayo has officially opened at St Tiernan’s Cemetery in Crossmolina, marking the culmination of 18 years of planning by the local graveyard committee.

The new facility offers a peaceful, permanent space for the interment of ashes, giving families and friends a place to visit, reflect, and remember those they have lost.

In the shadow of Nephin, overlooking the town of Crossmolina, the sun shone down on the columbarium wall on Wednesday afternoon last as the local community gathered for the unveiling.

The project was made possible through the work of the St Tiernan’s Graveyard Committee in collaboration with Mayo County Council.

The wall was designed and tendered in-house within Mayo County Council's Environment Department and constructed by O'Riordan Monumental Works Ltd, based in Cashel, Co Tipperary.

The columbarium contains 20 niches, each with capacity for two adult urns, with space for an additional smaller urn if required.

Civil works have also been completed on site to accommodate two more columbarium walls. When the project is complete, the facility will have 60 niches, providing capacity for up to 120 adult urns.

The council also plans to develop other columbarium walls in each municipal district in Mayo, including Claremorris, Castlebar, and Westport.

The newly-built columbarium forms part of a wider project by the local authority, which will see upwards of €5 million invested in burial grounds across the county between now and 2028.

Speaking at the official opening, chairperson of the St Tiernan’s Graveyard Committee, Siobhan Gough, said the idea for a columbarium first came up when the committee was formed in 2008.

Over the years, members noticed an increase in the number of people opting for cremation. They researched columbaria elsewhere, and the committee approached the council with the idea, leading to a collaboration that brought the project to fruition some 18 years later.

“Like many other cemetery committees in the county, we are passionate and proud of our work here. We are committed to ensuring the resting place for our loved ones is kept sacred and serene,” she said.

Ms Gough thanked her fellow committee members, Breeda Mulkearns and Geraldine Mullen, as well as the volunteers who give their time to maintaining the cemetery.

Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Annie May Reape, said the columbarium reflects the changing needs of the community.

“As cremation becomes an increasingly popular choice for families in Ireland, it is important that public services evolve to meet those changing needs. The columbarium wall provides families with the opportunity to keep the memory of their loved ones close to home and in their community,” she said.

She added that the project sets an “important benchmark” for cemetery services across the county.

The council's Director of Services Joanne Greham described it as a significant and heartening day, not just for Crossmolina but for the county as a whole. She said the development represents a step forward in “broadening the choices available to individuals and families in how they wish to be laid to rest and in how those close to them can remember, honour and celebrate their lives”.

Crossmolina-based councillor Michael Loftus commended the graveyard committee's work and thanked the council for its involvement in the project.

“We have been trying to get this for many years," he noted. "It is a credit to the committee, the builders who did the work on it and the council. I think it is absolutely beautiful. What’s special about it is that it is in a lovely setting overlooking the town.

“It really is something of the future, and the fact that we are the first in Mayo is thanks to the dedicated work of the committee,” he said.

The council revealed a €1,700 charge per niche, plus a €400 charge to open and close the slot to house a third urn. A €300 charge applies to the removal of any urn.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.