Plans in place to expand near-capacity Coosan cemetery

Agreement has been reached between a landowner and Westmeath County Council for the purchase of two acres of land to facilitate the long-awaited expansion of St. Kieran's Cemetery in Coosan.

Minister for State, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran who announced details of the land purchase this afternoon (Monday) in a video post on Facebook, paid tribute to the landowner he has worked closely with over the past twelve months to bring about today's welcome news.

Describing the land deal for the expansion of Coosan cemetery as “very positive news” Minister Moran said it will now go before the elected members of Westmeath County Council for approval before it goes to planning.

He added that today's news will give an extension to Coosan cemetery for the next “ten to twelve years” and said a lot of people had been in contact with him over the past year and beyond to express their concerns about how fast the graveyard is filling up.

When the issue was raised at the July 2025 meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District in a motion put forward by Independent Ireland councillor, Paul Hogan, he was told that the Westmeath local authority was “pursuing all options” with local landowners to expand the near-capacity Coosan cemetery.

Director of Services, Jackie Finney, acknowledged at that meeting that the cemetery was “under pressure” and was “filling up” at present. She added that discussions were taking place in relation to the possible acquisition of lands to expand the cemetery but said the council would prefer to wait until any possible land acquision had been finalised before providing more details to members.