Leacht

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in level pasture, KE088-010002- occupies a roughly rectangular area which is delimited by modern field boundaries. Within this is an oval-shaped enclosure, an earthwork complex and a number of house sites. The enclosure contains a leacht and a gable-shrine, a holed stone, and numerous uninscribed grave-markers which relate to the use of the site as a ceallúnach (OSNB Killemlagh, 20). A pillar stone is incorporated into the external face of the enclosing element at S. A second ceallúnach (KE088-011001-) is located a short distance to E.

Leacht (KE088-010003-): This raised rectangular platform measures 4.3m NNW-SSE x 2.3m WSW-ENE, and is located in the NW quadrant of the enclosure KE088-010012-. It is defined on three sides by contiguous uprights. Of stony composition, its upper surface appears to have been paved with flags, some of which remain. An L-shaped slab lying on the W side of the leacht may be a displaced paving stone; it may be the 'broken stone cross' referred to by Henry at this site (1957, 100).

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 960. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 30 July 2013