Clochan

The National Monuments Service's description

Clochán (Cell) A described in 1996 as follows; 'The largest clochaun, A, is constructed against the rock-slope at the SW end of the terrace [KE104A001105-]. A large number of slabs project from the external face of its wall where a series of offsets, 0.35m wide on average, form a discontinuous spiral. The fourth offset also serves as a plinth at W and N. The doorway stands 1.55m high and inclines in elevation from a basal width of 0.9m to 0.63m under the head. Henry recorded that one of its lintels is a modern replacement (1957, 124), though this seems doubtful. On the innermost lintel are carved two superimposed triangles and an equal-armed cross with T-shaped terminals. The flagged floor of the clochaun, measuring 4.65m x 4.1m, slopes down towards the doorway. The interior is lit by four lintelled opes, which range from 0.18m to 0.53m and from 0.3m to 0.4m in external height and width respectively. One of these occurs at a height of 1.6m above floor level, while the remainder occur at an average height of 3m. One of the latter is located directly over the doorway, and above it several quartz stones are inset in the external wall-face in the form of a Latin cross. Ten slabs project from the internal face of the wall below the levels of the three upper windows; it has been suggested that their function was constructional (de Paor 1955, 185; Henry 1957, 149-50). At a lower level are four wall-niches, averaging 0.26m x 0.48m x 0.44m deep. The apertured dome is 5m high. Windele noted the reputed discovery of a 'stone coffin containing a skeleton' in this clochaun by lighthouse workmen (RIA MS 12 C 11)' (O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 278-90, no. 948, (5)).

To see a 3D model of this monument visit: https://skfb.ly/69FKG

See attached LiDAR image of monastery with Clochán labelled 'Cell A', taken from Bourke, Hayden and Lynch 2011, 7.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 7 March 2022

References

Bourke, E., Hayden, A. and Lynch, A. 2011 Skellig Michael, Co. Kerry: the monastery and South Peak. Archaeological stratigraphic report: excavations 1986–2010 (E338; 90E34; 93E195). Dept. of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Dublin.

Henry, F. 1957 Early Monasteries, Beehive Huts, and Dry-Stone Houses in the Neighbourhood of Caherciveen and Waterville (Co. Kerry). Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 58C, 45-166.

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

De Paor, L. 1955 A survey of Sceilg Mhichíl. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 85, 174-87.