In Memory – Children’s Burial Grounds in the parish

 

Heritage society committee members Dom Dunleavy, Bina Devaney, John Tighe, Mary Dunleavy, Sylvester Cassidy, Fr. Tod Nolan P.P. Killererin; Eileen O'Connell and Bernadete Forde.

B. Connolly

 

Sylvester Cassidy sprinkling some clay that had been gathered from each unmarked children's burial ground in the oarish, at the base of the new memorial stone.

B. Connolly

 

Some onlookers who attended the ceremony.

B. Connolly

In 2012, Killererin Heritage Society was delighted to have a Memorial Stone erected in the Church grounds listing the names of unmarked Childrens’ Burial grounds in the parish.

Location of unmarked children’s burial grounds

1. Cloondahamper – (Cluain Dá Thiompar)

2. Cloonlusk – (Cluain Loischte)

3. Coolfowerbeg – (Cuil Fhobhair Bheag)

4. Graddoge – (An Ghreadóg),

5. Grange – (An Ghráinseach),

6. Knock – (An Cnoc),

7. Shantallow – (Sean Talamh)

Register to enrol name of your dead

The stone was purchased from Kelly Monuments in Tuam and was blessed by Fr. Tod Nolan P.P. after Sunday mass in June of that year. The Heritage Society also placed a register in the Church that day, allotting a page to each burial ground. Anyone, locally or who is visiting the parish, with a loved one buried in these graves, can enrol their names here, recording their burial for the first time. This was made available on the day and will remain available for this purpose. Just ask our local Parish Priest, Fr. Tod Nolan P.P.

For some, this was a very emotional experience and one for which they were immensely grateful. Clay from each burial ground in the parish was collected and placed around it on the day by Sylvester Cassidy who wrote the following poem for the occasion which is entered at the beginning of the record book.

 A Child’s Unmarked Grave

By Sylvester Cassidy

 A cold wind whispers –

 “You are not forgotten.

 Though you lie silent

 In an unmarked grave

 Angels still guard you,

Across the valley

A sharp church steeple

 Pierces a setting Winter’s sun

 And floods the sky a crimson red.

 Significant.

Was not Your Blood

Also shed for them?

 The sprinkling of water

 Has such an awesome power.

 What magic words

 Between the lost and saved.

Here, there are no names

Unlike the distant graveyard

 Consecrated.

 More magic spells

 And incantations.

 Small rectangular mounds

 Lie between contour lines.

 Three hundred feet they read,

 Yes – you are nearer Heaven

 Than those alive or dead.