Children's burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

This site is located in rough pasture, on the S side of a ridge, overlooking Kenmare Bay to S. It is noted in the OSRNB as a 'small enclosure used for the burial of unbaptized infants', and survives as a rectangular area which measures 20.5m NW-SE x 27.5m NE-SW. It is generally enclosed by modern walls, except at E and S, where it is defined by large slabs set on edge and outcrops of rock, respectively. Occurring at the W end of the S side is the entrance to a souterrain. A lintel forms the top of the .95m x .35m rock-cut opening, and a displaced, second lintel blocks access to the passage. The level interior of the site is densely packed with E-W rows of uninscribed, upright grave-markers. The majority of these vary from .2m to .5m high, but some are appreciably larger. A number of long, thin slabs lie prostrate on the surface of the site, and a scattering of quartz occurs over its E half. O'Connell records a 'fallen gallaun' (KE106-080002-) here (KAS), but it is not clear what he was referring to.

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. 1016. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 30 July 2013