Galway City Council and Galway University Hospitals are developing a new burial plot for babies at Bohermore Cemetery, which will be available for burials from next month.
The existing ‘Plot of the Angels’, which has provided a resting place for babies who died before birth or in infancy, has now reached capacity and will no longer be used for burials.
From February 1, interments will take place in a newly developed lawn plot ‘Leaba na Leanaí’ (babies’/children’s bed ) within Bohermore Cemetery.
Families are advised that fresh flowers may be placed at the time of burial; however, they will be removed for lawn maintenance. Individual headstones are not permitted, however families who wish to have their baby’s name included on a shared headstone will be very welcome to do so.
Galway University Hospitals will also undertake a refurbishment of the existing Plot of the Angels to ensure it remains a peaceful and dignified place of remembrance. The planned works include cleaning and replacing the kerbing, along with cleaning the naming stones.
“As part of this work, it will be necessary to remove a tree and shrubs, as their roots are now impacting the grave,” GUH said in a statement. “We deeply regret having to take this step, but it is essential to protect the resting place of the babies laid to rest here and to preserve the plot with the care and respect it deserves.
“To allow for the completion of these enhancement works, all individual plaques, naming stones, statues, and personal items currently located on the Plot of the Angels will need to be removed. The existing limestone name plaques will be returned once the works are complete, and parents can continue to add their babies’ names to the plaques.”
Galway University Hospitals and Galway City Council are now inviting parents and families to collect personal items such as individual plaques, stones, statues and toys currently placed at the plot. Families are asked to remove these items by February 15. Any items remaining after this date will be removed by Galway City Council and securely stored for a three month period, until May 15.
Parents and families who would like more information about the proposed works or the shared headstone are welcome to contact Helen Byrnes, bereavement support midwife, at 087 7712329; or Anne McKeown, End of Life Care coordinator, at 087 4418574, Monday to Friday.
