Limerick council appeals to landowners for plot to build cemetery serving two villages

According to a notice from the council, the site should be about three to five acres in size and be located within a reasonable distance of Cappamore or Murroe. File picture

Limerick council has appealed to landowners for help finding a new burial ground as the cemeteries in two local communities are at full capacity.

The site would serve the communities of Cappamore and Murroe, as local families had to resort to burying their relatives outside of these areas due to a lack of space.

According to a notice from the council, the site should be about three to five acres in size and be located within a reasonable distance of Cappamore or Murroe.

“The site should have good road access and have acceptable groundwater/geological characteristics. Interested landowners must agree to allow Limerick City and County Council officials/agents inspect the lands and carry out appropriate site investigation, if the site has potential as a cemetery,” read the notice.

Interested landowners have until October 10 to submit their expression of interest, via email to [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Meanwhile, a burial ground extension has officially opened in Askeaton. Once fully developed, the extension will have the capacity for 1,300 grave spaces and 164 ashes plots.

The Reilig Mhuire burial ground extension represents a “significant investment” of €107,751.11 in local community infrastructure funded by the council’s own resources.

Tendered in 2023 and delivered by DR Construction Ltd, the works commenced late 2023 and have delivered an expansion to the existing burial ground, covering 0.811 hectares. The development included site clearance, construction of footpaths, headstone foundation beams, and other essential works.

The burial ground is being developed on a phased basis, with phase 1 providing 292 burial plots and 41 ashes plots.

Deputising for the Limerick mayor at the opening this week, Cllr Tommy Hartigan said: “This development provides a vital community service for Askeaton and the surrounding area. By planning ahead, we are ensuring families have access to dignified burial space for generations to come.” 

Earlier this year, Tipperary County Council had been forced to appeal to those who may have pre-purchased graves to “surrender” them due to a shortage of space.

As the council had not been able to secure a new site, they had appealed to the public in a letter published in June, asking landowners within close proximity to New Inn and Knockgraffon to dispose of some land to develop a burial ground.

“This has been a concern for some time, and Tipperary County Council has been actively exploring potential sites within the proximity of New Inn for the provision of a new burial ground. Unfortunately, to date, Tipperary County Council has not secured a suitable site for various reasons,” read the letter.

The council had appealed to those who may have pre-purchased double or single graves in the past to consider surrendering the graves unlikely to be used, in an effort to alleviate the current capacity issue.