A memorial service for children who died at birth and were buried at Oileán na Marbh (Isle of the Dead) off the west coast of Donegal is to take place on Sunday.
The poignant event is being filmed by Irish-language station TG4 and will see representatives from the Church of Ireland and Catholic Church join with the community of The Rosses in the third year of the special ceremony.
It is believed that more than 500 babies, children and some sailors and other adults were buried on the island but it is only after a campaign by the local community, including Annagry-man Seamus Peter Boyle, that the island’s dead have now been recognised and remembered.
Oileán na Marbh, near Carrickfinn, lies just a hundred yards out to sea and was used as a burial ground during the 18th and 19th centuries for those who died before being baptised as church law did not allow burial on hallowed ground.
Speaking to donegaldaily.com Mr Boyle said: “This was so important for our community to remember those on the island and to pass our knowledge on. It is part of our heritage and it is a good thing that it is not forgotten.
“We have all watched the mothers and fathers on the beaches and pier over the years, some going to the island alone, and we knew but it was never really spoken about. Now, there is a memorial cross and a commemorative stone to show that they will never be forgotten.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the memorial service which takes place at 3pm on Sunday, said the 66-year-old campaigner.
“Things have changed so much and Oileán na Marbh is no longer a taboo subject. Only recently, I was speaking to two ladies who had visited the island and we were talking and they told me that they hadn’t said a prayer for the babies but had said a prayer to the babies. That’s how much things have changed.
“I well remember going with my uncle when I was eight or nine-years-old and he was fishing off the rocks behind the island and afterwards he would get down on one knee and say a prayer.
“When I asked him what he was doing he told me it was for all the stillborn babies and babies who weren’t baptised. Well, that stayed with me and I grew up hearing different stories so it is a good thing for the whole community that we can talk about it openly now.”
Enscribed on the memorial stone erected by the community are the words: “In memory of the stillborn babies, famine children and sailors buried here in Oilean na Marbh (Isle of the Dead) up until the early 1900’s. Erected and dedicated in 2009 by the community. “Is e an Tiarna m’aoire”.”
