What is recorded here

Children died young in Ballyhar and were buried inside a rath at the western edge of the townland. The earth closed over them without markers, and the rath kept their names out of ordinary speech. Nearby raths still stand like abandoned rooms, waiting for the missing child to be remembered.

In a rath (KE058-104001-). In the 1840s a children's burial ground was recorded in the W end of Ballyhar townland, close to two raths (OSNB, Kilcredane, 12). It is likely that the rath (KE058-104001-) which is c. 200m E of a rath (KE058-028----) and c. 170m SE of another rath (KE058-029----) was the children' burial ground referred to in the 1840s, though there are no visible remains of any graves or grave-markers in its interior. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

Children's burial ground in Ballyhar is associated with a ringfort (rath) and likely dates to the Early Christian or medieval period. Its significance lies in providing evidence of infant or child burials in a settlement context, which is relatively rare and offers insight into local burial practices and community life.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.