'They committed no crime' Laois unbaptised babies burial site to be honoured

The historic burial site of babies who died before baptism in Abbeyleix.

placeholder image — The historic burial site of babies who died before baptism in Abbeyleix.

Heartbreaking poem by bereaved Abbeyleix father to be immortalised

A heartbreaking poem written by a Laois father forced to bury his baby at night in unconsecrated ground 61 years ago, is to be enscribed in stone for a new monument to honour the communal burial site.

The historic Cillíní burial ground is in Abbeyleix, for babies who were not allowed in a Catholic graveyard because they died before being baptised.

The community has now generously donated to a fundraiser for a sculpture and a stone seat, for the site at Tunduff, traditionally called a Cillíní.

The Gofundme.com fundraising target, set by a local committee in mid January 2024 was €2,000.

Such is the support that within six weeks, donations almost doubled the target reaching €3,780.

The new installation will now be launched with a special Mass in April. A ceramic installation designed by Laois artist Jen Donnery will depict multiple white blossoms, referencing a hawthorn tree that once grew there, as well as the babies' innocence and the baptismal ceremony. They will be inlaid with traditional embroidery patterns inspired by the Abbeyleix Baby Linen Society. It is already approved by the Laois Heritage Officer.

Artist's image of the flower sculptures.

The now elderly father of one of the babies wrote this poem, wishing to remain anonymous.

"The world may never notice if a snowdrop doesn’t bloom

Or even pause to wonder if the petals fall too soon

But every life that ever forms or even comes to be

Touches the world in some small way for all eternity

It makes me sad, as I shed a tear for the life that wasn’t to be

I remember well, laying you down,

To rest under the shade of the white thorn tree

Back in 61, on a cold and moonlit Winter’s night

I ask myself the question, “What is the meaning of life”?

I’m glad those babies are recognised now, they committed no crime

Those sad dark day’s are long since passed, I’m glad to say

I look forward now to telling my wife, that everything now is okay."

Noel Burke is part of the committee who spearheaded the successful fundraiser.

"The Tunduff Cillíní Committee wish to thank all those people that have contributed financially or helped in any way helping us complete this project which is expected to be finalised at a Mass that will be celebrated by Fr. Paddy Byrne just after the Easter ceremonies this year.

"Our community here in Abbeyleix can now feel justifiably proud that we have done our bit to recognise and protect this sacred burial site at Tunduff. The onus will be on future generations to help safeguard and protect this Cillíní burial site long after we have all passed on.

"The conclusion of this project and our final thoughts will no doubt be a very proud feeling of our community leaving a lasting legacy behind. We hope that the generations of the future will never forget the mistakes of the past," he said.

The fundraiser describes the pain that those past decisions caused.

"How the parents of the unbaptised had to cope and deal with the loss of their babies, a practice that continued right up until the early part of the 1960s, can you just imagine how these parents felt as they had to bury their babies in the dark of night in a rural location, in a burial plot that was unconsecrated, these places known throughout the Country as a Cillíní.

"The emotional suffering that these parents felt just because they were unable to comply with the Church’s teaching at the time for one reason or another was just unimaginable, the parents were further forbidden to talk about the loss of their baby, or their experience to any other member of their family, neighbours or friends at the time," the gofundme account states.

The women of Abbeyleix Ladies Development Group are selling eco friendly knitted Easter Creme Egg gifts in aid of the project.

"The Abbeyleix women have decided to try and help raise funds for our project by knitting Easter egg covers from scrap wool left over after the women have finished knitting, some of their beautiful craft work like the knitting of cardigans, jumpers, dolls clothes etc.

"The women are adamant that none of the wool they use in their craft shop will end up in the waste bin. The women meet at their work-shop every Monday afternoon at New Row in the town between 2pm and 4pm, something they have done at this premises ever since 1999," Noel explains.

The Abbeyleix womens development group are hoping that the eggs will help finance the long term maintenance of the Tunduff Cillíní project.

The committee are James G Carroll, Jim Ring, Tara Whelan, Aishling Rothwell, Artists, Edel O’ Keeffe, artist, Jen Donnery, artist, and Noel Burke.

They give a special thanks to Anne and the late Frank Lawlor, from Ballytarsna Abbeyleix who kept the memory of the Tunduff Cillíní alive throughout the years, keeping the sacred burial plot clean and tidy.

Creme Eggs with the 100% natural wool knitted chicks are €3 on sale in many Abbeyleix shops.

The limestone seat will be sponsored by Bosco Whelan, from Jet Stone Ltd Ballyroan.