What is recorded here

Childrens Burial Ground in County Mayo holds small upright slabs for unbaptized babies inside a possible ringwork. Local information says the last burials happened in the early 1950s, while the name appeared on maps only in 1920. The grassy oval still separates itself from the wider earth through a shallow depression and low scarp, marking a place where adult rules about sanctity gave way to compassion.

In the S half of a possible ringwork (MA091-008001-). Not indicated on the 1838 OS 6-inch map; named ‘Children’s Burial Ground’ on the 1920 edition. First recorded by Knox (1911-12, 149-153). A grass-covered oval platform (16m NE–SW; 26m NW–SE) in the SW end of the ringwork was used as a burial ground for unbaptized babies. A shallow depression (Wth c. 5m) on the N arc separates the platform from the rest of the ringwork interior and at W–SE the platform is defined by a scarp (H 0.7m at NE) which merges S–W with the scarp (H 1.3m at SW) of the ringwork. Stones protruding from the top of the scarp at SW–W may be remnants of a kerb or wall. The top of the platform is densely covered in gravemarkers consisting of small upright uninscribed slabs and stones. According to local information, the last burials took place in the early 1950’s. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 February 2022

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