Tenders being assessed for Killarney columbarium wall

KERRY County Council has confirmed that tenders are being assessed for a long-awaited columbarium wall at the new Killarney Burial Ground.

The wall, which will contain niches allowing the storage of ashes, will provide comfort to families who have had to store the ashes of loved ones in their homes but would prefer to be able to bring them to a burial ground to be interred.

It has taken longer than expected to reach this point, however, given that the new cemetery opened in 2018 and the wall was initially considered a key part of the project.

Labour Councillor Marie Moloney has welcomed the news that tenders are now being assessed for the project, and that the local authority said it hopes to progress the project as soon as possible once a contractor is appointed.

She did, however, express disappointment at the length of time it has taken to reach this point.

“I’m delighted at the news it’s progressing, because many people have ashes at home and want, for the want of a better word, to put their loved ones to rest,” she said.

“It is wanted, but I would like to see them getting around to other graveyards, such as Aghadoe. I’m sure many people in Killarney town would like their loved ones to be interred there, for example.

“I am disappointed it has taken so long...some people are quite happy to keep ashes at home, but others aren’t and would like to leave their loved ones rest somewhere.

“But isn’t it good that it’s moving forward anyway at last?”

Cllr Moloney added that she would also like to see such facilities becoming available in parishes within the municipal district but outside of Killarney town, and she feels that cremation is going to become more commonplace in the years going forward as burial space becomes harder and harder to come by.

“Cremation will be a big thing going forward, and people want to be interred in their own locality,” she added.

Labour Councillor Marie Moloney.