Cistern

The National Monuments Service's description

Close to the NW corner of the oratory (KE104A001001-) on the terrace (KE104A001011-) high up on the S side of the South Peak. One of two adjoining rectangular hollows 'cut into the upper surface of a low rock shelf close to the W corner of the oratory. They are fed by a channel, running beneath the NW wall of the oratory, and by two grooves, cut into the rock-face above. The NE basin [KE104A001005-], 0.5m x 0.36m x 0.12m deep, features a circular depression in in its base, and water from it overflows along a small channel into the second basin at SW; this measures 0.55m x 0.26m x 0.13m deep' (O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 278-90, no. 948 (28)).
The siting of the water-collecting basins were described in 1990 as follows; 'To gain access to the oratory terrace, one follows a natural ledge with steps cut into it that zigzags down the face of the cliff to a flagged path below. The existence of this path was unknown until Rourke removed sea campion from around the north wall of the oratory. At the western end of the path, steps lead down to the oratory; at the foot of these steps a critical feature turned up: two interconnecting basins chiseled out of the rock. Their shape and location clearly indicate that they were used for collecting water' (Horn et. al. 1990, 45).

Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 28 February 2022

References

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

Horn, W., White Marshall, J. and Rourke, G. 1990 The forgotten hermitage of Skellig Michael. Berkley. University of California Press.