The parish of Clonmany, in collaboration with the Clonmany Genealogy & Heritage Group, has embarked on an ambitious community project: the creation of a graves index for the parish’s three graveyards.

Professional surveyors from Co. Mayo are currently working on detailed surveys of the graveyards at St. Mary’s Church, in Cleagh, and at St. Michael’s Church, Urris. Once the process has been completed, comprehensive graves maps will be installed at each site, helping families and visitors to more easily locate their loved ones.

As part of the initiative, a free searchable online database will also be launched, providing a lasting resource for local families, ex-pats, researchers, and genealogists worldwide. All maps and online content will be updated every three years.

Significant planning, effort, and financial investment have already gone into the project. Organisers are now reaching out to the community for support to bring the project to a successful completion.

This project represents a significant step in providing an important service to the people of Clonmany, at home and abroad, and preserving and sharing a part of the rich heritage of Clonmany parish for future generations.