Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Scariff Island is located 5 km SW of Hog's Head, on the N side of the mouth of Kenmare Bay. The ecclesiastical site on it is reached by a path that leads uphill from the landing place at Coosaneeve/Cuas na Naomh, on the island's NE shore. It consists of the remains of a terraced oval enclosure, within which is the site of an oratory and a burial ground, as well as a nineteenth century house. Outside the enclosure at SW is a souterrain.

The entrance to a souterrain (KE105A-001004-) is located just outside the enclosure (KE105A-001002-) at SW. Built into a steep slope, it measures .4m high x 1.1m wide and gives access to a passage which extends 2.8m WNW before turning to WSW for a further 4.1m, where it is blocked with collapse. The passage is up to .9m high and averages .9m wide. It is roofed with lintels, and its well-built drystone walls corbel inwards as they rise.

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 967. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 30 July 2013