Children's burial ground, Ballymagrorty Scotch, Co. Donegal
In the quiet countryside of County Donegal lies the forgotten Racoo Children's Burial Ground, a place where local history and ancient tradition converge on a small drumlin hilltop.
Children's burial ground, Ballymagrorty Scotch, Co. Donegal
This modest rectangular mound marks what was once the early ecclesiastical site of Rath Cunga, a religious foundation that likely dates back centuries. From this elevated position, visitors can take in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, whilst at the base of the hill, a holy well continues to mark the site’s sacred significance.
The burial ground tells a poignant story common to many rural Irish communities. These unconsecrated grounds, known locally as cillíní, served as final resting places for unbaptised infants and children who, according to Catholic doctrine of earlier times, could not be buried in consecrated ground. The practice, which continued well into the 20th century in some areas, reflects a complex intersection of religious belief and folk tradition that shaped how communities dealt with infant mortality and loss.
Today, all that remains visible is the low earthen mound, catalogued by archaeologists as site DG103-011002. The site’s connection to the early church at Rath Cunga suggests it may have served multiple purposes throughout its long history; first as a religious centre, then later repurposed as a children’s burial ground as customs and needs changed. The holy well below adds another layer to the site’s spiritual significance, as these natural springs were often incorporated into both pre-Christian and Christian religious practices in Ireland.





