Children's burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on flat land in area of undulating countryside. Rectangular shaped earthen platform (dims. N-S 19m; E-W 30m and varies in ext. height from 0.5m to 1m defined by a scarp). The platform slopes from E to W and there are some small protruding stones in the E sector of the platform which could be possible grave-markers. According to the ITA Survey (1942) the site was used a burial ground for still-born infants.
The following folklore was recorded from Clara School in 1935-9 about this burial ground; 'Old Peter calls Kilcromeen Kilcuitin. I have seen it. It is not fenced off from the field in which it is situated but as it has never been cultivated it is easily seen. It is in John Sheridan's land. Sheridan told me on one had been buried in it since he bought the land years ago. Old Peter said a child from Clashawaun was buried in it 5 years ago. The graveyard space is square, the surface rought and bumpy, with smallish rough stones here and there. I have also heard the same place referred to as Cillalugán. The is a place in the monastery graveyard now for unbaptised babies. There was a graveyard in Tommy Flattery's garden. It "stopped" when Monastery opened. Old Peter "met" a couple of tombstones when working in Tommy's garden' ( The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0807, Page 446)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 25 April 2019