Deal in the pipeline for new Dromina graveyard

A Cork County Council official has confirmed that an agreement has been reached with a local landowner that will facilitate the provision of a new graveyard for the village of Dromina.

The area has been without its own burial ground for a number of years following the closure of Killabraher Cemetery, which had reached its full capacity with no room for new plots.

Last May it emerged that moves were at an advanced stage to secure a new graveyard close to Dromina that would be able to accommodate almost 600 new plots.

At the time the news was welcomed by Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG), who said it was important to locals that their loved ones be interred at a cemetery within the immediate vicinity.

At the first meeting of the Council’s Kanturk/ Mallow committee after the summer break Cllr Bernard Moynihan (FF) requested a progress update on the issue.

“I was in Dromina recently and a number of people questioned me on how advanced the project was and when they could expect the new graveyard to be opened,” he said.

“It is my understanding that ongoing negotiations with the landowner in question have been successful and a deal has more or less been agreed to purchase land close to the village. I would like to know if this is the case and when we can expect an official announcement.”

Council engineer Billy Dennehy said he would give a full update on progress at the October committee meeting.

“In the meantime, it is also my understanding that an agreement has been reached with the landowner in question for land and engineers are in the process of drawing up the layout of the new graveyard,” he said.

Cllr Moynihan welcomed his comments, saying the news would come as a relief to the local community.

“The local community council, in particular, has played a huge role in bringing this project to fruition,” he said.