Official opening of new municipal Cemetery at Mullenan Road
26 May 2026
Derry City and Strabane District Council is pleased to announce the official opening of the new municipal cemetery at Mullenan Road. The new facility represents a significant capital investment of £5.2 million by the Council, providing long term burial capacity for the local community.
With capacity to accommodate new burials at the existing City Cemetery on Lone Moor Road almost coming to an end, the new City Cemetery at Mullenan Road will now become the main cemetery for the community of Derry City.
The £5.2 million Phase 1 development of the City Cemetery at Mullenan provides the community with modern civic infrastructure in a serene natural landscaping. Designed as a seamless lawn cemetery, the site maintains a clean, undisturbed landscape across its 3,500 plots, which include space for Islamic burials and a dedicated Garden of Angels.
For those seeking alternatives to traditional burial, the grounds feature 50 small plots for ashes and a Columbarium, the first of which provides 40 niches to inter ashes. There will be a landscaped pond to serve as a peaceful reflection area for visitors.
The site’s architecture and layout have been designed to prioritise both dignity and accessibility. It includes a modern administrative hub that will serve as the operational heart of the cemetery, housing a reception area, office space, and staff amenities, including locker rooms and showers. Visitor comfort is further ensured by a dedicated toilet block with full disability access.
Strategically designed to allow high volumes of mourners and visitors, the grounds include 157 parking spaces, a roundabout capable of accommodating large buses, and dropped kerbs at Mullenan Road to provide a safe pedestrian link to nearby pathways. Cyclists are also catered for with bike racks conveniently located at both the top and bottom of the cemetery.
The new facility contains 3,500 burial plots, which will ultimate provide approximately 20 years of capacity, with scope for future expansion into adjacent lands. Access is bolstered by a new pedestrian and cycle link onto Balloughry Road, which is hoped to eventually connect to ‘The Line’ greenway, pending further land acquisition.
Operational efficiency is discreetly integrated into the tranquil environment through reinforced concrete paths and plinths and dual service roads that facilitate maintenance, while practical needs are met by large timber-enclosed bin stations distributed throughout the site, each equipped with its own water tap for convenience.
The facility is supported by specialised buildings for cemetery equipment and material storage, ensuring the extensive landscaping remains pristine all year around.
The public are welcome to visit the facility from 8.00am to 8.00pm daily during the summer months and 8.00am and 4.30pm daily in the winter.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, said: “The provision of burial space is a statutory requirement, but more importantly, it is a sensitive and essential service for our citizens. This multi mullion pound investment reflects our commitment to creating a peaceful, modern space that meets the needs of our community for decades to come. We are delighted to be officially opening this new facility as the City Cemetery nears full capacity.
“I want to acknowledge the work that has gone into getting this important project completed from securing the land to the design and development works, this has been a challenging process but huge thanks to everyone involved in making it such a success including the Council environmental and cemetery teams, the design team and the contractors.”
Director of Environment and Regeneration with the Council, Karen Phillips, highlighted the strategic importance of the site. She said: “This investment is a vitally important piece of strategic infrastructure for the city. It is also an example of the Council forward-planning for a critical service for the future. By securing this site and developing high-quality facilities, we are ensuring that we can provide a seamless transition for families as the City Cemetery site reaches capacity and funeral directors and families can now inter their relatives at Mullenan Road, ensuring we remain proactive in meeting the district's needs."
Cllr Declan Norris, Chairperson of the Environment and Regeneration Committee, added: “The new Cemetery is a crucial capital investment project for the Council. It provides a modern, peaceful, and attractive burial space, ensuring our community’s needs are met for the next two decades.”
More information is available at Derry City & Strabane - Services