Cemetery
Fr. E.J. Ryan, a native of Miltown, Co.Galway, came to Killawalla as a C.C. in 1940. One of the tasks he embraced was the development of the Killawalla Cemetery. In order to find the most suitable place to facilitate the creation of the cemetery, four trials holes were dug in Ballyburke near the old church site; near Hugh Feehan house in Killawalla, in Duffys field across from Pakie McEvilly's pub and finally at its present site. The Mayo County Council approved the present site as a burial ground. The first person to be buried in the new cemetery was an Ellen OMalley (nee Gibbons) of Kiltharsechaune. The boundry wall was build with stones donated by each family in the area. Part of the wall was built by Mike McDermott and his son, Peter, Killawalla East. The other builders included Martin Gibbons and was assisted by Mike Conway, Killawalla Bridge. The list of caretakers include Louis Durcan, Mike Duffy, Joe Hallinan, John O'Malley and Willie Tracey. Tom Tracey is the prsent caretaker. The cost of plots has increased over the years. In 1945, a double-plot cost ten shilliings. In 1978, a double-plot cost 10 pounds. In 1980, a double-plot went up to 15 pounds. In 1983, a double plot went up to 18 pounds and up to 20 pounds in 1984. In 1986, a double-plot was 30 pounds and in 1987, it rose to 60 pounds. In 1993, a double-plot was 120 pounds; in 1995, 170 pounds and in 1997, 240 pounds. In 1999, the cost of a double plot became 264 pounds. In 2013, Mayo County Council raised the plot rates again to 400 Euro for a single plot and 800 Euro for a double
The database of burials at Killawalla Cemetery can be downloaded in a pdf format here
Killawalla Cemetery Expansion
Work began on expanding the present Killawalla Cemetery in July 2020. An acre of land, on the east side of the present cemetery, was donated by Publican Pakie McEvilly.
