CONSIDERATION is to be given to the possibility of providing a Columbarium wall in the public graveyard in Aghadoe as an option for a final resting place for those who choose to be cremated.
While the facility will definitely be incorporated in the new public graveyard at Knockeenduff, Kerry County Council officials have agreed to explore the Aghadoe addition at the request of Cllr John Sheahan.
The council is of the view, however, that when parking facilities and the management required for a Columbarian wall are taken into consideration, the new burial ground will the most suitable location.
But, with numerous people in Killarney expressing a preference to be laid to rest in Aghadoe, as opposed to the more rural roadside site in Knockeenduff, the option of providing a space to accommodate cremation urns and caskets in Aghadoe will be looked at.
Kerry County Council is currently designing and costing a Columbarium wall for the Knockeenduff site – which will be officially named Killarney Graveyard – and a designated space has already been earmarked.
Responding to a query from Cllr Brendan Cronin, council officials said construction of the new €1 million cemetery is ongoing and, while progress had been hampered by Storm Emma, putting the project two months behind schedule, it is expected it will be open for burials by the end of this month.
The ongoing works programme involves fencing, site clearance, excavation of unsuitable material and extensive drainage.
The project will also involve the construction of a 140-space car park, the erection of boundary walls, the installation of a bore well, the construction of footpaths and headstone plinths and the provision of gates.
The council’s plans for the site at Knockeenduff provide for 2,300 burial plots and, it is estimated, the development will serve the needs of Killarney for 35 years.
“We won’t be cutting ribbons but burials will be accepted by the end of May,” said Killarney Municipal District Engineer, John Ahern.
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