Angles Plot

Today we visited Glasnevin Cemetery in Ireland. 

This was one of the first Catholic Cemeteries to allow miscarried, stillborn and infant babies (non baptized)  to be buried on consecrated ground. There are over 50,000 babies buried in what is called "Angles Plot". Going here felt like a little pilgrimage on behalf of both of Luca and Elisa.

The plot is full of unmarked graves, but along side are the names and birth and death dates of each child burried there, and some with memorial messages from family members. 

Information from the Cemetery's website "Up to 20 years ago, Mothers who delivered their stillborn babies in the Dublin Maternity Hospitals or Dublin Nursing Homes never saw their baby at birth. It was considered to be ‘better’ for them not to. Dads were totally excluded from the experience of childbirth anyway. The Hospital involved would see that the baby was buried in the Old Angels Plot in Glasnevin and for many parents the ‘bill’ for this is the only recognition they had for their baby
I wanted to share with you the lovely inscription that is on the memorial in the Angels Plot."

Because of babies being taken away after birth and buried without the parent present, some went unknown until years later.  We even saw some memorial stones with messages such as "we are so glad we found you, love your brother and sister", likely given by siblings who found out about their unborn brother or sister years and years later.

It was so moving to be there.  Although I did not meet any other parents while there, it is the knowledge that I have the unseen bond with them, the bond of knowing child loss. Mr V and I said a prayer while there for all of the children buried there, and all of their family members.

One of the most moving moments of this was the inscription on the memorial

angels surrounding the memorial

Someone had left a stuffed dog in the arms of the angel monument at the Angel Plot.  We also took a picture with Beluga Whale and Luca star, in memory of Elisa and Luca