COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

MOTION NO. 12

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

"That this Area Committee gets a full update on the Council's efforts to support 'Friends of Newcaste Burial Ground' in their efforts to draw down funding from Leader to progress the upgrade of the cemetery by instllling ducting for power and water suppy in addition to a raised platform to be used during outdoor Masses such as the 'blessing of the graves.'  The work proposed by the group will benefit the graveyard from a health and safethy perspective in addition to facilitating their annual outdoor Mass."

REPORT:

A meeting took place in Newcastle graveyard in September 2017 between County Council staff and the Friends of Newcastle Burial Ground group where the items listed were discussed.  The Council's position was outlined as follows on each of the items of concern -

  1. It is accepted that the water supply system as it exists currently in the graveyard is in need of extension, to bring water supply to parts of the graveyard which currently do not have any.
  2. The proposal to construct a platform for the holding of the annual mass is accepted also.  It is noted that this platform will also provide some storage space underneath.
  3. The proposal to provide ducting for power around the graveyard was discussed and the following issue was raised by the Council.    The power supply is required on only one day in the year, for the annual mass.  The proposal submitted indicated electrical ducting being provided in all parts of the graveyard.  It was felt that this was excessive in view of the limited need for power in the graveyard.  The installation of the ducting would have a negative impact on the graveyard as it would be necessary to excavate either the existing roadway, footpath or ground where grave plots are to be developed.  The provision of one run of ducting to bring power from one side of the graveyard to the other would however be acceptable to the Council and may be sufficient to meet the needs of the cemetery group. 

The Friends of Newcastle Burial Ground should proceed as outlined under points 1 to 3 here, the proposals put forward by them in relation to water supply and the raised platform are acceptable to the Council while the proposal for electrical ducting should be reviewed and revised as suggested.  In addition to the items proposed by the group the Council's Public Realm Section is also considering the completion of surfacing to the car parking area and it is hoped that the funding required for these works can be provided in the 2019 allocation.