Approval given for works near historic Galway graveyard with gravestones used as garden steps
A final decision has been made by An Coimisiún Pleanála to allow construction works on an underutilised building in Kinvara, County Galway, which adjoins a 13th-century graveyard and church.
The original application, submitted by Rory and Pamela McCann on December 2, 2024, sought permission to demolish and reconstruct the rear section of the property, repair the existing roof and windows, and change the ground floor use from commercial to residential. Associated works were also included.
According to the proposal, the total floor space would amount to 146sqm, with a 61sqm extension planned to the rear.
Planning permission was initially granted on May 20, 2025, subject to five conditions, including archaeological and ecological considerations, as the site is located within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).
However, the decision was appealed less than a month later, with submissions lodged by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Kinvara Heritage Group.
TII requested that the planning authority take into account existing proposals for national roads and the light rail network, “regard to the provisions of official policy for development proposals.”
The Kinvara Heritage Group raised concerns about the site’s proximity to the historic St Coman’s graveyard and church. In its submission, the group outlined five points relating to the conservation and protection of the graveyard during construction.
The graveyard, which dates to the 13th century, is a designated ACA. It was declared full in 1873 and officially closed, but the group’s appeal noted that it “was never abandoned.” It further stated that “unofficial burials are rumoured to have been undertaken up to 1940s.”
Additional concerns included alleged boundary misrepresentations in the planning documents, previous unauthorised alterations to the site, proposed garden access terminating within the graveyard, and the absence of a plan for rear access to the new residential unit.
The proposal to retain existing steps also drew attention, with the heritage group providing photographs showing that the steps were made from gravestones. Names and dates can be seen on the stones, according to the appeal.
The group called for the boundary lines to be corrected and for comprehensive assessments to be carried out to ensure the protection of both the graveyard and the existing building. They also asked that the developer provide clearer details on how the site will be accessed responsibly.
An Coimisiún Pleanála granted final permission for the project on October 8, 2025.
In its decision, the board found that the proposal was consistent with the Galway County Development Plan, noting that it would help activate an underutilised building and would not negatively impact nearby monuments.
Eight conditions were attached to the approval, including limiting the roof height to match the adjoining property, documenting all archaeological materials and features with an emphasis on preservation, and implementing all mitigation measures outlined in the Bat Survey.
The decision also stipulates that if archaeological remains are uncovered during construction, all work must stop immediately, and an archaeologist must be engaged to make proper records. These costs are to be covered by the developer.