Wicklow council looks for land as town’s cemetery to be full within two years
The Wicklow PeopleFor more than 150 years, St Gabriel’s Cemetery has been the final resting place for thousands of Arklow families. However behind the granite walls, there’s a bit of a scramble as burial space is quickly running out.
It’s a simple case of numbers. Arklow saw 81 burials in total last year. Back in late 2024, the council managed to squeeze in 76 new plots by turning some old paths and grass into burial space. It was a handy stop gap, but at the rate new burials are taking place, those spots will be gone by early 2028.
Local councillors haven't been shy about this ticking clock, raising the prospect that Arklow families might soon have to look at towns miles away to bury their loved ones.
To stop that from happening anytime soon, council officials announced at the latest district meeting in March that a multidisciplinary team has been established to oversee how more space in the cemetery can best be utilised.
A mix of planners, environmental experts, and engineers are currently digging through the Draft Arklow Local Planning Framework 2025 to find potential viable solutions.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Miriam Murphy hailed the announcement as “positive news for the town”.
As Arklow has such a history with flooding, any new site needs at least 2.45 metres of solid soil before hitting rock or water. Finding dry land in Arklow that meets those rules will not be easy.
Wicklow County Council has a statutory responsibility to provide burial grounds and cannot let the town run out of space. The Local Planning Framework specifically includes the objective to zone land for a cemetery. Once land is zoned, the council has a much stronger legal path to acquire it, even through compulsory purchase orders if necessary.
As Arklow is designated for massive housing growth over the coming years (linked to the new wastewater treatment plant), a new cemetery is now viewed as essential infrastructure, similar to roads or schools.
Added to soil and topography challenges, land prices in the Arklow environs are rising. Councillors have expressed frustration that the council hasn't moved faster to buy land before prices peak.
New cemeteries also often face pushback from nearby residents due to concerns over traffic, aesthetics, or perceived impacts on property values, which can delay the planning process.
A potential future scenario is one where the council repurpose land they already own, or land currently used for agriculture on the outskirts of town (potentially near the Kilbride or Coolgreany Road areas).
If a site isn't secured and shovel-ready by 2028, residents may be forced to use cemeteries in Castlemacadam in Avoca or Redcross, putting pressure on adjacent cemeteries.
In terms of money, a council budget of roughly €476,000 was allocated for all of Wicklow’s graveyards in 2024.
Arklow did get €5,000 recently to clean up the historic St. Gabriel’s Cross, which was badly needed.
District manager Leonora Earls acknowledged the pressure for more space, stating that the council's Environment Section is actively involved.
"The council is aware of the capacity issues and the multidisciplinary team is reviewing land requirements,” she said. “We are looking at all options, including land already in council ownership, to ensure a long-term solution."
As Arklow undergoes a period of unprecedented residential growth, spurred by the completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the provision of a new cemetery is now viewed as essential infrastructure rather than a secondary concern.
Regardless of where that will be, St Gabriel’s still needs to be maintained.
As per the meeting’s agenda, Cllr Peir Leonard also tabled a motion for an assessment and funding to repair the paths and drainage in the cemetery to ensure proper maintenance. Her motion cited significant path degradation and persistent drainage issues, particularly in the eastern section, causing distress to visitors.