Remembering Famine victims and the unbaptised babies of Glenville, Watergrasshill and Graigue (Cork)

So many famine victims and babies that were not baptised were buried, often secretly in Doonpeter Graveyard Glenville Co. Cork. On this occasion - 5th September 2021 - a large gathering of local people, politicians, the local priest Fr. Cotter, and the Cork Bishop meet up for the launching of two memorial plaques highlighting the plight of the people buried there. Maureen Connolly Burgess and many others help to organise it. The speakers include Fr Cotter, Bishop Fintan Gavin, the County Mayor, Gillian Cotter, Local Historian John Arnold the CEO of Kilkenny Heritage Council, Tony Harper, Cork Historian, and Norma Buckley, folklorist. The speeches are moving providing detailed notes on those past times. Local children are involved and hymns sung. - a really unique event largely attended. At last the plight of those buried here receives due attention.
Remembering...
So long ago did you walk that lonely road to Doonpeter,
Carrying those loved ones in your arms.
And now, at this meeting, finally
Our dulled senses are awakened
- By the moving speeches,
And by the inscribed memorial stones blessed here.
It was here, in your tortured grief,
That you laid your own.
To rest beneath unmarked stones.
In those different times you were cruelly rejected.
In modern times Compassion is alight,
And knowing of your plight,
Deeper and wider grows our
Understanding and humanity..

[@lorifive]

My Great-Grand parents came from county Cork in the late 1880s thru early 1900s and they were wonderful people , tough as steel . They immigrated to New York and the other set of Great-Grand parents immigrated to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania . I am proud to be from these people and this land . Thank You for this reminder of who we are and from where we have come . God bless !

[@tonykk66]

Great to hear from you Manny - yes so many stories are within you. Hope you can visit Ireland someday. Every Good Wish to you.

[@scartrich]

Great day