Near-capacity Galway cemetery set for 326 new burial plots and 12 urn plots in approved extension
An extension to the Tynagh Burial Grounds in Loughrea is moving forward as Galway County Councillors approved an expansion this month.
A planning application was presented to Loughrea councillors at a September meeting to approve extension plans for burial grounds near the village as it is near full capacity.
County officials said the expansion would include 326 burial plots, 12 urn plots, and an extension of the access road.
Access to the extended burial ground area will be via an extension to the existing internal road which connects the area to the L-4312 public road. A turning head will be provided at the end of the extension to facilitate manoeuvring of hearses and service vehicles.
A 0.57-acre parcel of council-owned land lies north of the existing burial ground and is proposed to be the location of the extension.
Councillor Michael Regan asked officials to consider increasing the number of turn plots, stating provision of a dozen urn plots isn’t enough “with the way things are going,” as cremations are becoming more popular.
“I think when Shannon Crematorium opened a couple of years ago, they were only hoping to do seven in the week, and now they’re doing probably seven or ten a day,” he added.
The existing urn plots in the burial grounds feature a headstone, as will the 12 proposed in the planning application. Council officials say uptake for urn plots are not as high as expected.
The Part 8 planning application was approved by all councillors.