A Laois Parish Priest says that consecration of a baby burial ground in Killeshin will be the start of an annual event to help heal hurt to local families.
Fr John Dunphy, PP of Graiguecullen Killeshin Parish, led a special Mass under the historic Killeshin romansque door on Sunday, November 3. Full story below photos.
Catriona Kelly leading Killeshin Choir in song.
He also unveiled a commemorative stone, and consecrated the ground just behind the graveyard wall where an unknown number of babies were buried by their families secretly at night, over the decades. They were not permitted to rest in the graveyard because they were not baptised before death.
He spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live afterwards.
"It was important to us as a Christian community to consecrate the ground. To acknowledge the babies buried there, and to acknowledge the hurt that parents and families experienced having to bury them there.
"While we couldn't change it, it's important to try and rectify it. We will have a Mass now there every year and pray for those little lost babies. We can't undo history but we can bring healing. I know the mass did, and placing the stone there and having the ground consecrated.
"Some older generations didn't want to die knowing their babies were buried in unconsecrated ground," Fr Dunphy said.
It is unclear how long the site was used as a burial ground, but Fr Dunphy said some families have several babies buried there, as a result of repeat miscarriages.
Local man Tom Kennedy who helped to organise the event explained how they found out about the baby burial site.
"A local family came forward and said they had children there. We didn't know so we enquired and several more families came forward, even on Sunday.
"The parish priest was very determined that something be done. The whole community rowed in behind him, there was a terrific turnout. The reaction has been very positive here. A local business man purchased the stone, it was an incredible effort to move it into place," Mr Kennedy said.
The practice of burying unbaptised children next to graveyards took place all over Laois, Ireland and throughout Europe from possibly the mid sixteenth century until the time of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960’s.
The Cillín in Killeshin is behind the wall of the old Killeshin cemetery, next to the 12th century National Monument of Killeshin church with its famed Romanesque Doorway.
Killeshin choir sang at the event led by Catriona Kelly. Members of Holy Cross Solidarity also attended. A poem was composed and read out by Martin Power. An inscribed memorial stone was donated by local business man T Brennan, Clonmore Meats and placed in position by local builder Michael Brennan, MB Homes. A bench-seat funded by Laois County Council has been purchased and will be installed adjacent to the memorial stone.
Organisers and sponsors: Fr John Dunphy PP, Michael Moran, Tommy Brennan, Tom Kennedy and Michael Brennan.
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