Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Calluragh Burial Ground: This site is located on the lower N facing slopes of Kilkeaveragh mountain, over-looking Portmagee Channel to N. It consists of a rectangular enclosure containing the remains of a small oratory and numerous uninscribed upright slabs. The enclosed area, measuring 30.5m E-W x 24m N-S, is defined by a stony earthen bank which survives to a maximum height of 3m at N. A stretch of internal stone facing, possibly modern, occurs at N, and a 1.5m wide entrance gap is preserved at E.
The SW quadrant of the enclosure is noticeably raised above the level of the remainder. The foundations of the dry stone oratory (KE087-044001-) occur here, measuring 3.6m E-W x 2.72m N-S internally. Its corbelled walls rise to an average internal height of 1m, and are flush with external ground level at S. They average 1.3m thick and are constructed of large horizontally laid slabs. There is a doorway in the W wall, .75m wide, and lying directly outside it is a large slab, possibly a displaced lintel. Most of the upright slabs are located in the W portion of the site, where there is a noticeable cluster around the remains of the oratory. These are presumably grave-markers relating to the use of the site as a ceallúnach (KE087-044002-).

The above description is derived from O'Sullivan, A. and Sheehan, J. (compilers) 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University press. (1996), no. 953. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 12 June 2013