Councillor Annie May Reape officially opens Mayo Columbarium
Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District, Councillor Annie May Reape officially opened the first of its kind in Mayo, Columbarium in St. Tiernan’s Cemetery, Crossmolina.
This columbarium will provide a peaceful, dignified sanctuary where families can honour and remember their loved ones in a lasting, serene setting. It will be a quiet space for reflection, offering comfort and a meaningful connection to the past for generations to come.
The scheme was designed and tendered in-house within Mayo County Councils Environment department and constructed by O`Riordan Monumental works Ltd, Cashel Co Tipperary.
Thoughtfully designed to harmonise with the natural beauty of the surrounding grounds the construction involved one wall of 20 niches with civil works complete for the provision of two additional walls. This will give a total of 60 niches within the cemetery when fully complete.
Speaking at the official opening, Councillor Annie May Reape acknowledged the great work of the Environment Department in Mayo County Council and also O’Riordan Monumental Works Ltd, she also thanked the St. Tiernan’s Cemetery Committee.
“This project simply would not exist without the St. Tiernan’s Cemetery Committee. From the very beginning, their determination, and countless hours of work turned an idea into reality, and they deserve our deepest gratitude for delivering something so meaningful.”
Director of services, Mayo County Council, Joanne Grehan, highlighted the scheme as being part of Mayo County Councils burial ground’s capital programme 2025 - 2028 in which MCC will invest €4.8 million in the burial ground infrastructure, adding: “The intention of this capital programme is to ensure adequate provision of grave space for our communities and to also provide columbarium and ash plots availability within our four municipal districts.
“The choices we make around burial and remembrance are deeply personal. Traditions and preferences evolve, and it is important that we, as a local authority, respond to those changing needs by providing appropriate, inclusive and dignified options for our communities.”