Children's burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

No surface remains visible of levelled possible children's burial ground with possible cashel annotated 'Tonakilla Fort' (KE038-003005-) on 1841 ed. OSi 6-inch map. On this map a 'Burial Ground' is annotated inside the levelled cashel indicating that the monument was reused as a children's burial ground (KE038-003006-). The 1841 ed. OSi map also shows the presence of 'Graves' to the immediate S of the cashel and a cluster of stones annotated 'Gallauns' (KE038-003007-) immediately S of cashel which may be the remains of a megalithic structure. Cashel depicted on 25-inch OSi map as a roughly circular-shaped area defined by a scarp with 'Graves' and 'Gallauns' (Site of) immediately to S. Annagh church (KE038-003001-) and graveyard (KE038-003002-) 370m to E.
The County Kerry Field Club Account clearly suggests that the burial ground is outside and not part of Tonakilla Fort (KE038-003005-) and does not place the stones and slabs within either the fort or oblong enclosure. The Irish Tourism Association account may be incorrect in assuming that the stones are within a burial ground, as, while there was a burial ground in the area the Ordnance survey 1st edition map would suggest that it is located within the caher/stone fort. Yet it is interesting that O'Donovan made no mention of the burial ground in his description. The RMP listing for this area records the presence of a possible Children's Burial Ground based on the OS 1st Edition Map and the various descriptions of the site.

Above description is from 'Tralee Area Monument Catalogue' part of a PhD thesis submitted by Michael Connolly to UCC.

See attached Google Earth orthoimages

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 28 January 2022