What is recorded here
No stones or ditches remain visible at Tonakilla Fort in County Kerry, yet the 1841 map marked a burial ground inside the levelled cashel and graves beside it. Children may have been laid to rest within an older fort, their small markers swallowed by time while the fort itself faded from memory. The absence does not erase the purpose; it only removes the proof that the place still speaks through loss rather than pride.
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
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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