Connemara cemeteries under threat

Connemara’s cemeteries – hemmed in so often between rugged mountains and wild Atlantic – are under threat like never before.

Because many of them are almost full – and extending or replacing them may cost millions.

On top of that, the landscape itself provides an even bigger challenge – because of the impact of the storms that wreaked such devastation at the start of the year.

“The high tides and storms in January and February have brought new issues into the picture” says Councillor Seán Ó Tuairisg.

“The Health Service Executive is closely monitoring any risk of flooding from high tides in the future; this is now a key part of the planning process for seaside cemeteries”.

A favourable report from the Health Service Executive is essential before the County Council can decide in favour of planning permission for work on a cemetery.

Councillor Ó Tuairisg says this could stymie efforts to provide more burial space in many locations in Connemara.

The storms in January and February had a severe impact on Connemara cemeteries; a coffin was partly unearthed in Baile na hAbhann, cemetery walls were damaged in areas such as Mweenish (Carna), Gurteen (Roundstone), Barr an Doire (an Cheathrua Rua).

Damage was also caused to old island cemeteries and human remains were washed ashore in many places.

Councillor Ó Tuairisg explains that many cemeteries were probably sited close to the shoreline in Connemara in the past because it was possible to get better depth there than in the rough lands nearby.

Local people in the close-knit communities of Connemara want to keep extensions, and new burial areas, adjoining – or close to – the old cemeteries.

“It’s a natural thing; that is where all belong to them are laid to rest”, Councillor Ó Tuairisg says.  But the newer stringencies in the planning process will make it very difficult to get extensions on seaside burial grounds.

The situation in Leenane at the moment exemplifies the difficulties in finding suitable land for cemeteries in Connemara.  The local cemetery, which stretches steeply down to the sea shore, is almost full.

Land is available directly to the north but it is not meeting present day planning criteria; the reason relates to the contour of the ground and its proximity to the sea.

“It is nearing crisis point”, says Seán Ó Tuairisg.

The difficulties in extending, or developing, burial areas in Connemara is compounded by the nature of the terrain.

“Eight feet is the depth that is stipulated, but there appears to be a derogation to six feet allowed in parts of Connemara.  Only one coffin would be allowed at that depth,” Councillor Ó Tuairisg said.

However, six feet with adequate land filtration, can be very difficult to find in Connemara; substantial infill of earth would often be needed.

“That is the landscape we have – its renowned all over the world – but it is not ideal for cemeteries.

It is going to take a big investment of money to solve this problem.  But we must face up to it,” Councillor Ó Tuairisg added.