Road safety fears delay plans for new Limerick town graveyard as traffic calming required

PLANS for a new burial ground in Abbeyfeale are continuing to move forward, according to an update provided at the April meeting of the Newcastle West Municipal District.

The query was raised by Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin, who sought "a detailed update on the new graveyard in Abbeyfeale."

In a written response to the question, Sonja Reidy, Senior Executive Officer with the Metropolitan District of Limerick, Parks and Cemeteries, outlined the current status of the project.

Read next: ‘There is going to be an impact’ – Inflation fears mount over planned Limerick road works

Ms Reidy confirmed that the Council is “preparing a Part VIII application for a new burial ground for Abbeyfeale,” indicating that the project remains in its planning and design phase.

She explained that a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit carried out as part of the preparatory work identified a significant issue with traffic speeds on the access road.

According to these findings, she said operational speeds are “significantly in excess of the speed limit of 50kph,” meaning additional safety measures will be required.

As a result, Ms Reidy said the scheme “requires a traffic calming scheme to be incorporated into the proposed development,” with these measures to form part of the formal planning documentation.

A preliminary design for traffic calming has already been developed and is currently under internal review within Limerick City and County Council. This process, she noted, will help shape both the final layout of the burial ground and the Part VIII submission.

Ms Reidy added that it is expected the planning documentation will be finalised and “ready for public consultation in Quarter two of 2026,” at which point members of the public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposals.