Fundraising campaign underway for Arranmore graveyard development

A fundraising campaign has been launched to assist with the development of a new graveyard on Arranmore island.

The current graveyard, which first opened in 1992, is fast filling while the old graveyard, in use since the 1930s, is only occasionally used now.

Plans were lodged with Donegal County Council recently for an extension to the existing graveyard.

Fr John Boyce, on behalf of the parish, has sought planning permission.

The development would see an extension added to the graveyard with provisions for an access road, footpaths and light poles.

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An area is also to be earmarked for the possible addition of a columbarium in the future.

A new car park would also be provided while site works would provide for the development of an access road and additional car parking spaces to the west of the proposed development in the future.

Arranmore resident Denis O'Donnell has launched an idonate fundraising drive to aid the development.

“There won't be too many years until there is no space left,” he said. “The existing graveyard is to be extended to make more space for new graves.

“There is also to be a new graveyard on a plot of land adjacent to the existing graveyards.

“The cost of things has gone crazy in recent times, especially for a development like this. A lot of money is needed to see it through to completion.”

According to Find A Grave, there are 1,771 memorials in the graveyard at present.