Cistern

The National Monuments Service's description

Cistern structure described as a souterrain in 1996 as follows; 'This souterrain-type structure is located about 18m W of Clochaun A [KE104A001032-]. Its lintelled opening, 0.6m high and 0.38m wide, faces SE and gives access to a passage which extends to W for 3.1m where it is blocked by collapse. The passages averages 0.9m wide and is 0.55m in maximum height. Its N side is formed of bedrock while that at S is of low drystone masonry. The accessible portion is roofed with twelve lintels which slope strongly down to S due to the partial collapse of the side-wall here' (O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 286, no. 948 (19)). During restoration work this structure was found to be a cistern and not a souterrain (pers. comm. Edward Bourke).

See attached LiDAR image of monastery with cistern labelled No. 6, taken from Bourke, Hayden and Lynch 2011, 7.

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

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 9 March 2022

References

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

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.