Mabel Boyd & Seamus Peter BoyleAnthony SharkeyKathleen HanlonRemembering all the stillborn & unbaptised babies buried here on Oileán na MarbhRemembering those washed ashoreisands newsletter25

connected and her story is I imagine typical of the tragic circumstances of many parents who buried their baby on the Island. Kathleen's grandmother gave birth to a little girl who was stillborn. At that time it was the practice for the dads to make a small coffi n themselves and carry the baby to the Island and bury them. Kathleen's Grandmother stood on the shore while her husband climbed the rock face to the top of the Island and buried their baby girl. He buried his daughter beside a rock and where they would be able to see the rock that marked her grave from their home on the main land. The graves were shallow because of the type of rocky land it was and often the small graves would have rocks placed on them to make them secure when the raging seas crashed over in stormy times.Kathleen's Grandmother would often be seen standing on the shore looking across at the Island. Can any of us possibly imagine the pain, the loss, the loneliness, it is unthinkable. I am sure the stories of the children buried on this piece of heaven are all so desperately sad and true. The same happened right across this land of ours. There are one thousand, two hundred and forty three of these unoffi cial infant burial places registered in Ireland but there are many more places where there are no listings. The community in Carrickfi nn believe that there are around 500 babies buried on the Island but there could be many more as we know at that time in this holy land of Ireland stillbirth was not spoken of, it was another taboo. The community also had a very special day of blessing when hundreds of people gathered, including Clergy and local dignitaries to acknowledge this sacred place, prayers and blessings, refl ection, beautiful music and song was fi tting tribute to these children and their families. A wonderful community spirit to remember the spirits. An annual blessing is planned for the Island each year.We take our hats off to all of you who were involved. As National Chairperson of a charity that recognises the needs of bereaved parents and families I thank you for recognising and acknowledging these children and their families.I would personally like to thank Seamus Peter for his compassion, energy and commitment to this wonderful project, it is an incredible achievement. I would also like to thank Seamus Peter, Mabel, Anthony, Kathleen and her daughters for their hospitality on our recent visit.For me, it is a visit I will treasure the memory of forever, many thanks.Ron Smith-MurphyWhen you walk across the Island you can see the outline of some of the small shallow gravesisands newsletter26