What is recorded here

Clochan C and D stand conjoined like a figure of eight inside the Calluragh burial ground near Ballyferriter, their dry walls still holding the shape of beehive roofs lost to time. A rock-cut fire pit filled with peat charcoal and burnt stone suggests people gathered there to breathe, remember or face the darkness together. The small chambers, narrow passage and jamestone create the feeling of a place made for closeness rather than display.

National Monument No. 519. Calluragh burial ground/An Cheallnúach: KE042-060001- is located about 1.25km E of the village of Ballyferriter on approximately the highest point in the townland with a good view to the N over Smerwick Harbour. (5) Clochauns: Clochauns C (KE042-060011-) and D (KE042-060012-) are also conjoined in a figure of eight plan and were erected against the internal face of the SW sector of the enclosure itself. Structure C is of roughly faced dry-walling and is 3.6m in diameter internally with an average thickness to the wall of 1.15m and an average height of .6m. An internal access to Structure D, 1m in width, is also provided with a jambstone on one side. There is no inward inclination to the walls of either structure but their small diameters and the presence of large wall stones amongst the collapse would suggest that the roofing was of the beehive-type. Excavation of the interior of Clochaun C revealed a large rock-cut fire-pit filled with peat charcoal and fragments of burnt slatey stone. No significant finds were recovered. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 874. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 9 August 2013

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.