Funding plea for expansion of ‘maxed out’ Laois graveyard

AN appeal for funding to extend a “maxed out” rural graveyard hit a dead end, when a council official noted that the site is private parish property.

However, the local graveyard committee can apply for a cemetery grant so that public funding may be considered.

The Killasmeestia graveyard committee has planning permission for 121 new plots and three columbarium walls but needs major funding to carry out the work. One columbarium wall alone costs about €18,000.

Land to extend the graveyard near Borris-in-Ossory was donated by a local farmer but the project is deadlocked until funding is obtained.

Cllr James Kelly led an appeal at a council meeting, as he stressed that Killasmeestia graveyard has reached capacity.

“The cemetery is maxed out and they hope to have the extension finished next year but they need funding,” Cllr Kelly told the November meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick municipal district.

Cllr Kelly proposed that Laois Co Council grant funding to Killasmeestia Tidy Towns which, in partnership with the graveyard committee, requires money for an extension and columbarium walls.

In a written reply, acting director of services Pat Delaney said that Killasmeestia is a private graveyard and under the control of the parish. He said: ‘Laois Co Council has no control in relation to this cemetery. Killasmeestia graveyard committee should apply for a cemetery grant and funding can be considered should they wish to apply.’ 

Cllr Kelly said: “That's not the answer I wanted to hear. A huge number of cemeteries are under the governance of Laois Co Council and great work is being done, but some are private cemeteries and it’s down to volunteers to look after them.” 

The Mountrath councillor said he gave €4,000 of his discretionary funding to the project, while the land was gifted by neighbouring farmer William Fitzpatrick and the business community would provide fencing, stone and concrete.

He said: “I have family buried there myself. This is a group that needs funding. It’s a necessity, a service.” 

He was supported by Cllr John King, who said his late parents are buried in Killasmeestia graveyard. He recalled that he got no response last year when he sought a columbarium wall in Rathdowney and other areas around the county are also looking for columbarium walls, but Portlaoise is still the only cemetery that provides them.

Describing Killasmeestia as a very worthwhile project, Cllr King commented: “Portlaoise gets an awful lot and we are left hanging on for services. The population is increasing and many people visit these graveyards to trace their family roots.” 

Cllr Conor Bergin agreed, saying that he was involved in the planning application in Killasmeestia. He said: “There is going to be more and more demand for columbarium walls and they need to be provided. Well done to Killasmeestia Tidy Towns committee on all the work they have done.” 

The need for columbarium walls and more cemetery space around the county was also highlighted at Laois Co Council’s annual budget meeting on 10 November.

Cllr Ben Brennan said only eight or ten plots are available in Killeshin graveyard and remarked: “We'll soon have to bury them standing up."