Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Fresh hope for new public burial ground in Killarney

THERE’S a glimmer of hope that land for a public burial ground may, at last, be available in Killarney.

Local authorities felt they had reached a dead end after seeking, for several years, to try and locate a new cemetery site in the tourist haven.

Currently, there is a shortage of burial plots in the public cemetery.

However, a possible site has now been identified in Aghadoe and is being assessed, according to Kerry County Council.

The public cemetery in Aghadoe has only 10 spaces left and most interments are now taking place in a privately-owned cemetery adjoining the public cemetery there.

Over the years, several efforts have been made to obtain land in Killarney National Park but the park authorities have proved most reluctant to give land for cemeteries, citing constraints on the uses of national parks.

At the moment, there are just over 1,000 spaces available in public cemeteries in the greater Killarney area, the majority up to 12km outside the town in places such as Beaufort, Kilcummin and Glenflesk.

The grave shortage was highlighted by councillors Brendan Cronin and Danny Healy-Rae at a meeting in Killarney, at which the urgency of finding additional space as close as possible to the town was emphasised.

Killarney people wish to be buried as close to their home town as possible, the meeting heard.

"This whole saga has gone on for far too long. It’s a most urgent situation," said Mr Cronin.

According to the latest council survey, there are 1,045 spaces in public cemeteries in the Killarney area, but just a total of 90 between the Aghadoe and New cemeteries which are mainly used by Killarney townspeople.

Discussions between the local authorities and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to secure land in the Muckross area have been unsuccessful.

Another site in Muckross was identified, in 2006, but agreement was not reached.

The same happened when a site became available in Aghadoe, in 2008, which was sold privately.