Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Kilbeg/An Chill Bheag: A subrectangular enclosure located about 30m E of Kilmore. The cross-inscribed bullaun stone and the 3 cross-inscribed stones that lie within the site are probably the penitential stations noted on the OS maps. The enclosure measures 16.6m NNE-SSW x 13.1m WNW-ESE and is bounded by a drystone-built wall now largely overgrown and collapsed; the latter is a maximum of 1.2m high and 2.2m wide. The entrance lies at the E end of the S wall. The .63m wide gap in the N wall does not appear to be a deliberate feature. A low platform or step, .2m high and 1 to 2m wide, abuts the inner edge of the enclosing wall for its entire length. The centre of the enclosure is occupied by a rectangular mound of stones with a slightly depressed interior. It measures 11.1m NE-SW x c. 5.5m NW-SE x c. 0.4m in height and 3 stones stand upright near its W edge. Curran (no. 26) suggested that the mound was formerly a church but it is possible that it accumulated gradually as pilgrims to the site deposited stones while performing rounds.
Cross-inscribed stones formerly stood at each corner of the enclosure (Curran) but only two of these remain in situ; a 3rd lies loose against the S wall and the 4th is now missing.
(1) Located in the SW corner, this stone stands .52m high and is .33m wide at base and c. 0.06m thick. Its E face is inscribed with a roughly equal-armed cross.
(2) Located in the SE corner, this stone is .51m high, .22m wide and .03 to .05m thick; it is now broken in two. Its NW face is inscribed with a simple cross.
(3) This stone has been carved to a rough cross shape measuring .55m in height and .46m in width. One face is inscribed with a roughly equal-armed cross.
(4) (KE042-038002-) The bullaun stone is set up on a crude base or altar of stones on the S side of the enclosure. The stone is roughly square with a V-shaped notch on one edge, and its sides are roughly dressed. The depression in its upper surface measures .31m in diameter and . 11m in depth and a small Latin cross has been carved to one side of this.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 815. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 7 August 2013