Terrace

The National Monuments Service's description

The small oratory terrace also described as the upper terrace was recorded in 1996 as follows; 'The upper and main terraces [KE104A001105-] are 'constructed on a sloping shelf on the E and SE sides on the NE peak. Both are carefully paved with large slabs and are retained by a continuous drystone revetment wall at N, E and S. The upper terrace, which measures 21.75m N-S x 7.5m E-W, was excavated during the late 1980s during conservation work to its revetment wall (Lynch 1987, 21; 1988, 17,18). The main terrace is located to S and SW of the upper one. The N and E revetment walls of the upper terrace were built on a loose rubble layer with no foundations, unlike the other terraces. The N wall, 3.3m high and 7.5m long, runs at right angles to a vertical rock-face and is outwardly corbelled. The E wall rises in a batter to a maximum height of 7.5m. In the late nineteenth century the OPW levelled off the top of this wall, which had developed a noticeable sag, and in the late 1980s a reinforced concrete arch and a drystone-faced buttress were inserted in its base (information: G. Rourke). A discontinuous offset runs along the lower inner face of the wall. Excavation revealed an accumulation, up to 0.3m deep, of rubble and peat growth on the paved surface of the terrace (O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 280-2, no. 948 (1, upper terrace)).

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

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 11 March 2022

References

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

Lynch, A. 1987 Sceillig Mhichíl, Skellig Rock Great: early Christian monastic site. In C. Cotter (ed.), Excavations 1986: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 21. Dublin. Organisation of Irish Archaeologists.

Lynch, A. 1988 Sceillig Mhichíl, Skellig Rock Great: early Christian monastic site. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1987: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 17-18. Dublin. Organisation of Irish Archaeologists.