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In Fermoy, Ireland |
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In November each year the official day for the "Blessing of the Graves" by members of the clergy in Fermoy, occurs. However, all over Ireland, there are many sites that are almost forgotten where unnamed babies and children lie buried. At South Cregg there is such a place. About three miles North West of Fermoy in the general direction of Castlehyde, at South Cregg there is a little area of ground that the old people referred to as the Children's Field. There are no markers of any sort indicating that it is a place of burial. The only unusual thing to the observant eye is a circle of oak trees. This circle of oak trees in the Western Field is the only memorial to God alone knows how many children, who died over 180 years ago. You may well ask, where is the Western Field? It is situated in the townland of Knockananig near Fermoy town, and it can be seen on old ordnance survey maps. On the Map can be seen the words "Disused Children's Graveyard", but apparently no records of who was buried there, or when they were buried are available. It is believed that unbaptised children are buried there, and also possibly children whose parents were unknown. Very few people today know of its existence. So little is recorded about it. Nevertheless, the landowners of the property on which this burial place is located show great respect, never interfering with, or ploughing the area surrounding the burial place. To an older generation this place was known as ' Pairc na Paisti' or The Children's Field. 
One morning in January, 2004, on one of those beautiful winter mornings, with frost glittering in the trees, I stood in silent prayer at Pairc na Paisti, when I saw the most remarkable sight. Two deer came out of the wood, sniffed the air, then saw me, but I have been back at this sacred place many times since, but never again have I seen the deer. Where greenery has covered the earth, and oak trees sway towards each other in a circle, there are no crosses, no gravestones, and no names at Pairc na Paisti, nothing to show that these little children are remembered, but of course they are known and remembered by the One who knows us all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh síad, (May they meet at God's right hand) Go raibh suaimhneas síorraí acu (May they have eternal peace)
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