Praise for local groups looking after cemeteries

by David Flynn

The importance of local tidy towns groups looking after graveyards and keeping them to a high standard was noted by the CEO of Roscommon County Council at its April meeting.

“We need communities looking after their graveyards, and it’s good to give them grants, because I want to acknowledge the work they do,” said Shane Tiernan, CEO.

Cllr John Keogh welcomed the funding allocation of €75,000 that was given for this year, and said that he would hope the council would look at the budget for next year and increase it to €100,000.

“It’s still below what it was previously at, and voluntary organisations are doing tremendous work and there is great value in having them doing it on a voluntary basis, but with increased fuel costs, the money allocation isn’t going as far, and I would propose that is taken into consideration for next year’s budget,” said the Fianna Fail councillor.”

Independent Cllr Tony Ward agreed with his South Roscommon colleague about the funding allocation, and said that in the past it was as high as €150,000, and then was cut back to €100,000, and one time it was even lower than €75,000.

“I’ve been a member and chair of different groups and while the money is small, I’m sure that Roscommon County Council would take into consideration the application forms coming in from community groups or tidy towns,” said Cllr. Ward.

“My area is no different from any other parish in recent years in relation to the amount of work being done and any money being raised by these groups is ploughed back in again by putting down tarmac or kerbs or walkways. There is work continuously going on in the cemeteries. One time you had no business going into a cemetery ground unless you had a scythe because the grass was always overgrown and Roscommon County Council despite their best efforts wouldn’t have been able to get around every graveyard.”