Children's burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

Templenakilla / Teampall na Cille: The church (KE098-048001-) and burial ground (KE098-048002-) are located in sloping pasture on the SW side of the ridge on which the Eightercua stone row stands (KE098-047002-). The first edition of the OS map depicts the church at the intersection of three field boundaries, two of which enclose a burial ground on its S side. Recent land improvement operations have resulted in the removal of these boundaries and the levelling of the burial area.

There is now no visible trace of the burial ground (KE098-048002-) which abutted the S side of the church and was used as a place for the interment of children (OSM). It had become disused by the late nineteenth century (OSRNB). Land improvement operations in 1990 revealed a spread of human bone, marine shells and stone close to the SW corner of the church. A second, thin spread of shells, occupying an area about 4m square, was noted c. 16m S of the church.

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1090. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 31 July 2013