Launch of The Clare Cillíní Survey

There are 144 cillíns or communal unbaptised children’s burial grounds in County Clare. Michael Houlihan carried out the Clare Kyles or cillíns survey from 2022 to 2025. Each site was visited, photographed and described by Michael, often with the help of others. The remains of 144 cillíns in County Clare is a remarkable number when compared with most other counties. Most cillíns originated during the Counter Reformation in the 17th century, with some continuing to be used in living memory and until the mid-1960’s.

This event will launch the Clare cillín survey and the information gathered during the survey is being made publicly available on the Clare Heritage website clareheritage.org.

Michael Houlihan will outline how he went about the Clare cillín survey, their origin, function and chosen location, the cultural practices associated with the cillíns, the people he met, their personal stories and the wealth of information that was uncovered. While many of the cillíns are remembered and maintained by the local community, with memorials placed at the sites and annual mass celebrated, some cillíns may fade from memory and be in danger of being forgotten. This survey helps to record, locate and remember the unbaptised infants and others buried in the cillins throughout County Clare.

Annie Birney who was responsible for uploading the cillín survey information onto the clareheritage.org website, will outline on the night how the public can access the information on the website.