What is recorded here

Children's burial ground in Clonlonan is a children's burial ground in Clonlonan, County Westmeath, Ireland. It sits in pasture on a slight south-facing slope next to a field fence running north-northwest to south-southeast, with a bullaun stone located approximately 22 metres to the south. Local information states the site was once in a hollow and used for burying unbaptised infants, though a rock-filled depression to the north of the stone may represent that hollow. A possible children's burial ground is visible as a dark green oval-shaped cropmark on Digital Globe aerial photography, measuring 53 metres north-northwest to south-southeast and 43 metres west-southwest to east-northeast.

Situated in pasture, on a slight S-facing slope, adjacent to a field fence running NNW-SSE. Bullaun stone (WM036-019----) lies c. 22m to S. Not depicted on OS maps. According to local information, this field contained a children's burial ground. It was situated in a hollow (now almost filled up) and was used in years gone by for [burying] unbaptised infants (ibid). There is a rock-filled depression to N of the bullaun stone which may represent the hollow described. Possible children's burial ground visible today as a dark green oval-shaped cropmark (dims. 53m NNW-SSE; 43m WSW-ENE) on Digital Globe aerial photography. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 28 November 2019

Children's burial ground in Clonlonan is likely a prehistoric inhumation cemetery, possibly dating to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Its significance lies in the rare local tradition of dedicated children’s burials, offering insight into ancient funerary practices and social attitudes toward childhood.

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