Municipal graveyard mooted as Letterkenny cemeteries near capacity

Letterkenny could see the development of a municipal graveyard.

With plots in the town's graveyards at Conwall and New Leck fast filling up, Donegal County Council has been asked to consider the matter,

Exploratory talks, including with local clerics, have already taken place and the Council has acknowledged the requirement to 'establish an appropriate location in respect of multi-denominational and non-religious burial service'.

Councillor Donal Coyle told the March meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District that in just eight years' time there will be no capacity for new graves at Conwall or Leck.

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Councillor Coyle said that while the Catholic Church has bought a new plot at Leck, financial constraints mean they are not in a position to develop the land.

“Financial contributions have dropped, especially since Covid,” Councillor Coyle said.

“It is time for the Council to intervene and provide financial support for a new municipal graveyard in Letterkenny.”

Councillor Coyle said there is an 'urgent and immediate need' to provide burial space for non-Christians.

“In a class of 28 in one local Catholic primary school, there are 13 Catholics and the majority of the other 15 are from non-Christian faiths,” he said.

Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, who seconded a motion from Councillor Coyle for a workshop to be arranged, said this is 'becoming an urgent problem'.

“It arrives on the agenda now and again and just seems to disappear again,” Councillor Kavanagh said,

“There is the wider impact now on how the town has changed and there is an obligation on Donegal County Council to find a way of stepping up to the plate.”

The Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny-Milford MD, Councillor Donal 'Mandy' Kelly, said he has spoken to the Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian SJ, and Mgr Kevin Gillespie on the matter.

“It always catches my eye passing Conwall graveyard how fast it is filling up,” Councillor Kelly said.

Liam Ward, Director of Community Development & Planning Services with Donegal County Council, said the matter has been discussed at strategic policy committee level.

He said the issue around the purchase of lands 'merits further discussion'.

A workshop will be arranged to involve the elected members and representatives from the Council's planning service and environment department.