Artistic makeover proposed for old tree stumps at Ballyglass

A woodcarving artist has been asked by Westmeath County Council to come up with a cost for carving the stumps of a number of old trees at the cemetery in Ballyglass, Cllr Mick Dollard was informed at the July meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

Cllr Dollard had asked that the district indicate what works are envisaged for Ballyglass graveyard during 2026.

The written response provided stated that work is to continue on the upgrading of footpaths, the enhancement of landscaping, and extension of the site to provide additional grave spaces.

“A meeting with a woodcarver to discuss suitable works on the existing tree stumps took place last week and we await the estimated costings for re-purposing of the stumps,” the response concluded.

Cllr Dollard was happy to learn of the plan to have some of the stumps carved. “I might add that some of those tree stumps are there in place for hundreds of years,” he said.

Cllr Aoife Davitt said she felt there was a lot that the council could do at the Angels plot at Ballyglass:

“We have spent money on the graveyard but not particularly there,” she said, and suggested that if money were to be spent in the graveyard, some should be spent on that plot for the dignity of the families who have babies buried there.

Cllr Julie McCourt also welcomed the woodcarving proposal, but also suggested the provision of some seating in the graveyard, while Cllr David Jones felt it was important that the council should have an up-to-date graveyard management policy in place.