Clochan

The National Monuments Service's description

Clochán (Cell) D described in 1996 as follows; 'Clochaun D: This poorly preserved clochaun is located on the NE side of the nearby clochaun C [KE104A001035-] and appears to be earlier in date than it (information: G. Rourke). Measuring 2.5m x 2.3m internally, its wall stands to a maximum height of 2m at NW. An annotation in Dunraven's plan of the site (1875) suggests that part of its external face at NE and SE is of nineteenth century date. The rear external wall-face rests on a plinth, rebuilt in the 1980s, and internally the wall-face comprises a basal row of upright slabs overlain by roughly coursed masonry. Its largely unflagged floor slopes down towards the conserved doorway, which is 1.04m high. The surviving remains do not indicate that the clochaun was of corbelled construction' (O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 278-90, no. 948 (8)).

See attached LiDAR image of monastery with Clochán labelled 'Cell D' [No. 14], 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.

Dunraven, E. the Earl of 1875 Notes on Irish Architecture, 2 vols. London. George Bell and Sons.

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