Construction starts at Lakeside Memorial Park

Construction work has commenced at Lakeside Memorial Park on Dublin’s northside.

Located between Malahide and Portmarnock, the site which is larger than St. Stephen’s Green, will provide a much-needed alternative to the traditional graveyard. The high-class memorial park will provide 3,000 traditional burial plots and 4,000 inground ash plots aswell as numerous interments options in the park’s stately columbarium walls.

Speaking on behalf of Lakeside Memorial Park, Niall O’Connor, Director,

According to the owners, demand for burial plots has been very strong since their on-site information office opened last month.

“We have had a tremendous response from the residents in Portmarnock, Malahide and other local areas such as Sutton, Raheny and Clontarf” according to Mr. O’Connor who explained “Lakeside Memorial Park offers a new opportunity to Dublin’s northside residents who are considering their final resting place.

“There is now an alternative to the local burial grounds and of course there is now an ability to pre-purchase your plot, something which is not available in the local councilrun cemeteries.

“Notwithstanding it makes emotional and financial sense to plan ahead, the advance planning appears to be providing our clients with a wonderful sense of security and peace of mind.

“Although the park won’t be open until the end of 2024 or early 2025, our clients are delighted to be said“Lakeside Memorial Park will be a truly spectacular place where we can honour and remember our loved ones in a dignified and tranquil setting.

“We are creating what will arguably be one of the nicest places for interment in Ireland.

“Our plans include the planting of approximately 1,000 native trees and the construction of a large lake.”

Another Director, Henry Wildgust, said “Lakeside Memorial Park will present more like a public park than a cemetery, in part due to our use of flat memorial plaques.

This is a public amenity, and we will encourage joggers and dog-walkers to come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, the water features and the artwork.

“Lakeside Memorial Park will set a new standard for interment in Ireland and will redefine the traditional cemetery experience.”

The idea for Lakeside Memorial Park was born following the owner’s chance encounter with Rosehills Memorial Park in California, one of the USA’s most renowned memorial parks. “Rosehills Memorial Park in California is a remarkable place and has won numerous awards for it’s gardens and buildings and we hope Lakeside Memorial Park will win it’sown accolades over the coming years. able to choose their final resting place at this early stage.

“In addition to the highlylandscaped surroundings, the interment ceremony will also be first in class. A specially designed canopy will be erected on rainy days and seating will be available for the immediate family” said Mr. Wildgust.

“Choosing your final resting place is a very personal choice.

Some clients wish to be interred by our lake or near the river whilst others want to be beside the children’s play area and having these choices is what makes Lakeside Memorial Park so special”

Mr. O’Connor concluded.

Mr. Wildgust explained that having a children’s play area makes the memorial park a great place for the whole family to visit their loved ones.

“Lakeside Memorial Park has ultimately been designed to celebrate life. Whether it’s the sound of children’s laughter or coming across a jogger or dogwalker, all of these adding a wonderful ener- gy to this beautiful place”, Mr. Wildgust said. Responding to our questions about the cost of the various plots in Lakeside Memorial Park, Mr. O’Connor told us that there are introductory rates currently available –traditional plots are available from €7,500, inground ash plots from €5,000 and columbarium wall niches ranging from €3,5000 to €9,000. “It is probably impor- tant to note that we are also investing a portion of all sales income into a perpetuity fund, another idea we have taken from America. Having the perpetuity fund will ensure that the park is maintained to the highest standards forever, at no cost to our clients”, Mr. O’Connor told us.

“In respect to other burial options, as cremations now account for about half of all interments in Ireland, there has been particular interest in our in-ground plots, suitable for cremation urns.

“A lot of people don’t realise that cremation urns can be placed in the ground, but this option is available throughout Lakeside Memorial Park. “Our clients have told us that they are delighted with the size of these plots, most of which measure 2 metres x 2 metres.

“Offering this amount of space for a cremation plot is unprecedented, but our clients have told us that this will give them a greater sense of dignity”, Mr. O’Connor said.

Mr. Wildgust added

“There has also been great interest in our family plots which can accommodate up to four coffin burials and four urn interments.

“These plots are also large measuring 2.5 metres x 2.5 metres and bespoke pricing options are available upon request.”

According to the company’s website which can be visited at www.lakesidememorialpark.ie, the cemetery is bordered by St. Marnock’s Church, a wellknown local landmark.

“These lands have a wonderful history and once formed part of the Portmarnock Brick and Terracotta Works, part of the Plunket Estate.

“Of course, we are also beside St. Marnock’s Church, the Old Schoolhouse and the black- smith’s Forge, some of these splendid properties all steeped in history and dating back to the 18th century. “These properties have existed for over two hundred years and we at Lakeside Memorial Park are looking forward to contributing to Portmarnock’s history for another two hundred years and beyond. “We are privileged to have the opportunity to work on such a special project and we are very grateful to the extended local community for their interest and support to date”, he concluded.

Further information is available on the website: www.lakesidememorialpark.ie or alternatively, you can arrange a consultation by calling 01 9602222.