What is recorded here

Kildownbrennan Grave Yard in County Offaly is a children's burial ground where unbaptised infants were laid to rest beside a long wall built of perfectly round stones. The earth still holds that quiet tragedy beneath overgrown grass, while a modern water tower rises at the edge like a marker for forgotten life. Kennefick once taught nearby, perhaps watching small bodies carried past his window into the dark soil.

Subrectangular shaped area (35m N-S) defined by slight remains of an earthen bank and rough stone wall, situated on a slight rise. No obvious grave markers, site overgrown at time of visit. Modern water tower in NE angle. The following folklore was recorded from Walsh Island school in 1938; 'There is a field there called "The Relic" meaning graveyard. It was formerly a burial place for unbaptised children. Adjoining this graveyard is a long stone wall called the Range wall. It is built of peculiar field stones which are perfectly round. At one end of this wall there was an old schoolhouse long ago. A schoolmaster by the name of Kennefick taught there' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0803, Page 065) 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

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.