What is recorded here

The children's burial ground in Gorteennakilla is in County Tipperary, Ireland. Known locally as the Little Kyle, the roughly rectangular area measures 36.5m north to south and 51.2m east to west and is enclosed by a low stone wall. The southeast quadrant contains the footings of a circular drystone building identified as a clochan, while two rows of uninscribed sandstone headstones to its west mark graves of unbaptised children. A local tradition recorded by Power says people from County Limerick used the burial ground at night as late as 1930.

Children's Burial Ground in Gorteennakilla (Ghoirtín na Cille / Church of the Little Field) known locally as the 'Little Kyle' consists of a roughly rectangular-shaped area (dims. 36.5m N-S x 51.2m E-W) of rock outcrop enclosed by a stone wall (H 5-6 inches / 0.15m) (Power 1998, 23-4). Depicted as an area of rock outcrop contained within a dotted outline border on the 1838 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Shown as a sub-rectangular shaped field attached to S side of building at NW corner on revised 25-inch OSi map. According to Power (1998, 24) in the SE quadrant of the enclosure are the wall footings of a circular-shaped drystone building which he identified as the remains of a clochán. He also suggested the presence of a small church or oratory measuring internally 12 feet (3.65m). To the W of the clochán area two rows of uninscribed sandstone headstones marking the graves of unbaptised children which are aligned on a N-S axis (ibid.). Power recorded that tradition that the burial ground had been used by people from County Limerick during the night as late as 1930. See attached sketch plan of children's burial ground taken from Power 1998. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 April 2021

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