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Ballybrack graveyard hits capacity
17.07.09
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
THE PARISH of Moville has applied to Donegal County
Council to extend the graveyard at Ballybrack Church
as the burial ground has reached maximum capacity,
local Parish Priest Fr Paddy O’Kane has confirmed.
“We have reached maximum capacity at Ballybrack and
are in the process of negotiating with the Cavanagh
family to secure additional land at the rear of the
graveyard,” he said.
“I thought the process would have been over and done
with by now but health inspectors have to approve
the site to check that there will be no
contamination of the local water supply. We know
that the land is suitable, but we can’t move can’t
move forward with our negotiations until this
inspection has been completed.”
Fr O’Kane added that while there may be some space
in existing family plots, there was a pressing need
for additional space to accommodate new families.
In the coming weeks the parish would begin the
process of gathering information on who laid claim
to the existing vacant plots. |
“I have never had to do
this sort of thing before but I know from talking to
Fr George [McLaughlin, the former Moville P.P.] that
in the past people were allowed to claim plots and
build a grave around them or put a cross up. I am
going to try to find out more about these plots,” he
added.
Seamus Canavan, of Canavan Associates Ltd, who |
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handled the application
on behalf of the Moville parish said the new ground
could have capacity for up to 300 graves.
“There could be space for that many, although if the
plots are aligned in the traditional east-west
layout that number would be considerably less.
“We have used the most up to date guidelines. The
land has to be 2.4 metres above the water table.
This is dry land, and isn’t stony ground.”
Mr Canavan said it would be a minimum of eight weeks
before planning permission was approved and if
successful, the first burial could take place before
the end of the year. The new land would have to be
consecrated before any burials could take place.
At Graveyard Sunday, taking place in Ballybrack this
weekend, a special collection will be taken up, the
proceeds of which to go towards purchasing land for
the expansion of the cemetery. |
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