Building

The National Monuments Service's description

Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'.
The priory comprises a number of buildings which exhibit architectural details relating to various periods between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. At the N end of the priory complex are two poorly preserved, drystone rectangular structures (KE097-036004- & KE097-036006-). All of the buildings, except the latter, have been repaired and repointed by the OPW.
Rectangular Buildings: (1) (KE097-036004-) Located close to the N wall of the graveyard are the remains of a drystone structure. Its SE wall is not apparent, but the building measures at least 8.4m NW-SE x 5.2m NE-SW internally. Its roughly coursed walls of rubble construction range from 1.4m to 2m in thickness. Midway along the S wall is a possible entrance gap, 1.4m wide. Tombs and graves largely obscure its interior. A short stretch of walling extending from the NE wall may indicate an internal division.

See attached photograph of building and plan of graveyard courtesy of Laurence Dunne

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. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Laurence Dunne

Date of revised upload: 13 May 2022

References

Gwynn, A. and Hadcock, R.N. 1970 (Reprint 1988) Medieval religious houses of Ireland. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.

O'Sullivan, A. and Sheehan, J. 1996 The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry. Cork University press.

Smith, C. 1756 (Reprint 1969) The ancient and present state of the county of Kerry. Cork. The Mercier Press.

Dunne, L. 2012 Archaeological Survey, Ballinskelligs Abbey and Graveyard, Ballinskelligs, Waterville, Co. Kerry. Unpublished report for The Heritage Office, Kerry County Council (SMR file).