Children's burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, in a low-lying area, to the S of a lane. A roughly D-shaped area (24m N-S) defined by a slight scarp SE-W, by a N-S field boundary at E and by a straight N side (L 79m) formed by a road. There are many mounds and depressions in the interior and stones lie randomly on the surface. Three distinct mounds (max. dims. c. 1.8m x 1m; H 0.4m) lie directly S of the road and five oval depressions (max. dims. 3.2m x 1.05m) occur immediately inside the top edge of the scarp. In the 1940s it was mentioned as a 'Killouragh' which was still in use and it was noted that some mounds, evidently grave sites, were 'strewn with white pebbles' (Minutes of the Co. Kerry Field Club). In the 1940s it was recorded that 'up to quite recently' the ruins of the possible church (KE058-084001-) and 'a plot surrounding it was used as a burial place for very young children and also for unbaptised children' (ITA). The church formed part of the 'rounds' ritual which also involved visiting two nearby holy wells (KE058-085----, KE057-098----) to the E and W, respectively. Traditionally the 'rounds' were paid after dark or before daylight on 1st May and 1st August and could commence at either of the holy wells and involved proceeding clockwise around the remains of the possible church (Minutes of the Co. Kerry Field Club). It was also noted that during the Penal times, this was 'one of the places where Mass was celebrated in the open air' (ITA). There is a holy well (KE058-085----), called 'Tobermurry', c. 40m to the E.

Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.

Date of upload: 31 January 2011