A SUITABLE memorial plaque to remember all the children who were buried in the grounds of St Mary’s Cathedral during the Famine should be erected as a lasting tribute to those who died, it has been proposed.
Cllr Donal Grady has asked Killarney Municipal District Council to engage with the Diocese of Kerry on the matter as it is important to clearly indicate that it is a Famine burial ground.
The burials were carried out in the immediate vicinity of the giant Californian Redwood tree which becomes the Tree of Light every Christmas and has recently been dubbed the Tree of Hope as it remained lighting during the month of January as a tribute to those whose lives have been impacted by Covid-19.
Cllr Grady said during the Famine years the priests of the parish did everything possible to help the people.
“They turned the cathedral into a hospital and they buried the children on the grounds,” he said.
There is a small plaque in place near the Californian Redwood tree but, Cllr Grady, said something more significant and suitable was required to outline the history.
“I’m far from being a holy Joe but I go down there a lot of days to say a prayer under the tree for the little babies,” he remarked.
Cllr Michael Gleeson said although there is a little sign there is would be very fitting to erect something more appropriate and he is sure the diocese would welcome it
He said the building of the Augustus Welby Pugin designed cathedral had to stop from 1848 to 1853 because of “the savagery of the Famine”.
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