Graveyard extension

The existing boundary will be moved out in the short term but other work on the extension of the parish graveyard will take place later. This follows after the granting of permission by Louth County Council for the extension of the graveyard that adjoins Saint Fursey’s Church.

The work will entail the expansion of the church car park, with the permission providing for the change of use of 0.67 hectares of land from agricultural to burial ground use.

The enlarged graveyard is projected to serve the burial needs of the parish for the next century.

The land was given to the parish some time ago, but permission was required from the planning authority which is Louth County Council for a change of use of the land from it’s designated zoning of agricultural to a burial ground.

The work involved will entail extending the existing access route onto the new area, providing a Calvary scene, four additional car parking spaces, including for a hearse and doing ancillary site works.

The work on the construction of the Haggardstown church is thought to have commenced shortly after Catholic emancipation in 1829. However, the church was not consecrated until 1854.

The church was named Saint Fursey’s after Saint Fursa who was born in Ireland in the seventh century. He went on to become one of the great monastic missionaries aboard, first in East Anglia and later in France.