Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Kilpeacan Grave Yard / Cill Pheacáin: This site is located on the S facing slope of the spur that extends W from Poilelogh mountain, and affords far reaching views towards Ballinskelligs Bay at S. It comprises a rectangular enclosure with a pillar stone, a leacht, a cross-inscribed pillar, a possible gable-shrine, two rectangular house sites and numerous low grave-markers.
Enclosure: The area enclosed is subrectangular in plan and measures 56m E-W x 37m N-S. It slopes markedly down to S and is bounded by a much denuded stone wall, the lower courses of which are formed of large slabs. A stretch at S is constructed along the top of a low, near vertical rock-face, and traces of drystone facing survive along a portion of its inner face at N. Much of the enclosing wall, which averages 1.2m high and 1m wide, appears to have been modified relatively recently. Modern field walls abut the enclosure at N and S, and spoil from a drain has been deposited against it at NE and E. The modified entrance to the site is midway along the E boundary wall. It originally measured about 2m wide and is provided near its inner end with two jamb stones, 1.2m and 1.3m high, set at right angles to its sides.

See attached plan of monument taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 144

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. 922. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 29 July 2013