Calls for more columbarium walls to be built in Kilkenny

Cllr Michael Delaney has proposed that Castlecomer Municipal District ‘begin a process of installing columbarium walls in all of the cemeteries in North Kilkenny’.

Speaking to the Kilkenny People, he confirmed that he has requested for ‘ a costed, possibly phased’ proposal to come back before the elected members to be included in their 2024 budget.

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“Our cemeteries are getting smaller and smaller and it seems to be the way a lot of people want to go,” he said.

“Cremation is increasing in popularity in Ireland as an alternative to burial and issues such as costs and environmental impact are beginning to influence more and more opinions.

“I think it’s very important to at least give people that option. To have that option is important.”

The councillor’s motion was seconded by Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh and feedback is now awaited from the local authority.

Cllr Delaney stated that if a means to effectively deliver more columbarium walls in his local district could be achieved, then it could be replicated across the other rural districts in the county.

In Kilkenny City, a large columbarium wall has already been constructed in St Kieran’s Cemetery.

It provides for a total of 100 niches, with the option to add more units subject to future demand.

Columbarium walls provide local councils and parishes with the ability to accommodate more remains within graveyards and cemeteries which are near capacity.

They are expected to become a very common feature in many cemeteries in the future, reflecting the increasing use of cremation and the ever-increasing demand for burial ground in local cemeteries.