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A SINGLE FARMER in Swinford, Co Mayo, has won an appeal which will allow him to build a private burial plot for himself on his land.
Mayo County Council had refused Martin Neary’s planning permission but he won his appeal to An Bord Pleanála and will now be permitted to construct the plot for use when he passes away.
The Mayo farmer intends for the land to be a private burial place for himself only, as he has no next of kin. He wants to erect a simple headstone with the names of deceased family members next to the proposed grave.
It is his intention that the lands will never be sold or redeveloped and no grazing will occur on the site.
In its decision, the planning board said it was allowing the construction of the plot due to the nature and limited scale of the development. It also found the planned plot would be a sufficient distance from dwellings, wells and the water supply infrastructure.
Western People reports Neary’s success is just one of two appeals granted by the board for this type of development in the last decade.
An Bord Pleanála said the plot would not set a precedent for further similar development.
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Yes it does set a precedent !
I shall be buried on my own land and I’ll haunt anyone that tries to stop me – even the Pope himself …..
Could he not put burdens on the land registry of the land thou to stop anyone from using it
hence the planning – to mark the plot one presumes .
Graves – the most expensive real estate on the planet …personally I would be all for the Native American ” air burial method … on top of a lonely mountain of course .
He could leave the land to the Sate for the enjoyment of all – but then of course a “committee” would be established to flog it and the Government who have responsibility for the management of all State resources wouldn’t be able to do anything because the committee would be “independent “….
Enda is in awful trouble in Mayo !
His career will be with M Neary in the grave…
With apologies to the Yeats family.
I would like to buy this guy a pint. There is a very simplistic message here for those that care to see…I think.To live and work the land as long as he has would require a love of the land and all that that entails.To be buried on that land is in a sense a continuation of that ‘love affair’….One that should strike home at those who genuinely feel for the land and its importance in aspects of our everyday lives that have far reaching effects on all of society.I do not fully understand the global warming arguments, I do not hug trees or participate in any save the planet schemes…Yet I cannot help but feel that there is something arye.That which we take for granted can disappear from our lives without us noticing so easily….He is protecting this field at least for while…
Alan, I know Martin Neary personally. A lovely man who has been the first to help a neighbour, worked hard all his life and is thoroughly decent.. If he wants to be buried where he has lived, loved and sported then good luck to him. For those worried about pollution or damage that is all sorted. I won’t go into details of how out of respect. I for one would be honoured to visit and take care of his final resting place as he did plenty for my in laws over the years.
Alan , very well said
This article really doesn’t do this man’s intentions justice.
The planning application states:
“It is his further intention for the lands to become an area open to the public for walks, with native species trees planted throughout with gravel pathways providing access. It is his intention that the lands will never be sold or redeveloped. No grazing will occur as the site is to be entirely planted. ”
But the article just references the last line, and not the fact that he’s effectively giving his land to the people.
Obviously if every farmer did this, we’d run into an agricultural crisis pretty quickly, but that shouldn’t stop one man from being able to do it with his modest holding.
an acre would suffice for a family graveyard – I worked on an archaeological site – a stone enclosure similar in size to a ringfort where the graveyard and the dwellings were all contained with the one closure –
Why should the dead be buried near the living ? – oh yeah the R.C.C. …
It’s every man’s right to be buried on his own land.
A matter of equality.
Why should the rich be the only ones allowed this privilege?
‘On his own land’
Important clarification there Egg.
well that joke flew right over your head.
Thank God.
Good to see common sense prevailing…makes a change.
What difference does it make to him he’ll be dead? It isn’t like he will enjoy to view
Who knows?
Rashers will be even crispier upon demise! :-D
Wouldn’t it be far better if he willed it to be sold and proceeds go to set up a scholarship fund for a college or something equally useful?
Is it not enough for us to pollute the planet when we are alive.
Burial is the final selfish narcissistic act of the human being.
Isn’t trolling a form of it too.
Ruth, how fertile would the soil be if organic matter wasn’t allowed to decompose in it?
What are you proposing as an alternative ” soylent green” is it .
If all the farmers did this, we would have cracking walking and biking trails but bad imported food.
There’s a Lo8 code for that :)
WHEN IS THE POST CODES COMMING IN?
Funny IF McDonalds did cremations, they could go with the burgers then??? Bad joke…
sad. good luck to him.
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