Children's burial ground in Kilparteen

Situated on NW-facing slope of rising ground in upland area. Small roughly square-shaped platform (approx. dims. 20m E-W x 16m N-S) defined by a low bank mainly reduced to a scarp standing in SSE quadrant of a large possible ecclesiastical enclosure (TN019-027001-) known locally as 'Kyle'. A number of low stone uprights visible in N quadrant of earthwork could represent the remains of grave markers. A single thorn tree stands on the SE edge of the platform and a possible cup-marked stone (TN019-027004-) is visible in NE corner of platform. The earthwork was described in 1957 as 'a very large ringfort, almost levelled, with a possible early church site (TN019-027002-) or burial-ground inside it' (OPW Field Report 19/09/1957). According to the OPW Report the alternate name for this site is 'Kyle', a common name for a children's burial ground and the low stones protruding from the surface of this platform are possibly the remains of grave markers. In 1840 the Ordnance Survey Letters recorded for Castletown Parish that the townland name 'Kilparteen (Cill Feartin) [was] said to have taken its name from a burial ground for children situated in it and said to be still in existence' (O'Flanagan 1930 Vol. 3, 23). See attached sketch plan drawn in 1957 Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 14 March 2019