What is recorded here

Caltragh Burying Ground is an invisible wound in County Offaly, marked only on old maps and remembered through bones pulled from the earth during house work. The field name books called it an unconsecrated place for the dead, yet it still gives up its secrets when living people dig too deep. What is buried there does not stay buried; it waits for the living to disturb it, then returns to remind them the land is not empty.

Not visible at ground level. According to local information site was used as a burial ground. Depicted on first edition OS 6-inch map as 'Caltragh Burying Ground'. Recent burial uncovered during the construction of an extension to the nearby Carrowkeel House (pers. comm. Heather King 2007), burial ground may have extended into adjoining field containing Carrwokeel House. Described in the OS Field Name Books of 1837-40 as 'Cealltrach, an unconsecrated burial ground. In the N.E. side of the td. of Glebe. It is about 70 links square' (OSFNB 1837-40, Vol. 1, 34). 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 by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 28 January 2010

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