Clochan

The National Monuments Service's description

Fohernamanagh/Fothair na Manach: The ecclesiastical nature of this settlement (KE025-001001-) is only indirectly suggested by its name and by its traditional association with St. Brendan. He is said both to have founded a monastery here (O'Donoghue 1895, 327-8) and to have sojourned here for a while before embarking on his legendary sea voyage (An Seabhac 1939, 132). Its remote location (it is undoubtedly the most inaccessible settlement on mainland Corca Dhuibhne) also suggests a monastic settlement. However, despite its isolation and the difficulty of access, the valley is reputed to have been occupied at the beginning of the 19th century by 3 or 4 families (Power 1923, 75-6), and it is not clear to what extent the present form of the settlement is attributable to this recent occupation.

The NW half of the relatively level terrace to NE of the enclosure is occupied by a mound of collapse which incorporates the remains of at least 4 drystone clochauns (KE025-001003-, KE025-001008-; KE025-001009-; KE025-001010-), 3 of which appear to have been conjoined. The N hut (KE025-001008-) appears to be subrectangular in outline and measures 3m NW-SE x at least 2.5m SW-NE internally. The corbelled wall stands to a maximum height of 1.5m and 3 wall-cupboards occur in the interior.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 826. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 8 August 2013