What is recorded here

Excavations in the 1970s revealed a trench or ditch north of the round tower on Inis Cealtra, later dated to 551-639 AD. The earth held markers from the site's earliest foundation, waiting decades for human hands to draw them into light. What began as a vague religious claim became a measurable chapter of time, proving the island carried life before its famous stones rose.

Situated N of the round tower (CL029-009010-) on Inis Cealtra. Excavations took place in this area (licence no. E000180) in the 1970s (de Paor 2013). Post excavation work in 2015 resulted in a radiocarbon date of Cal AD 551-639 (UBA-30514) from a ‘trench’ or ditch showing the presence of features dating from the reputed foundation of the ecclesiastical site. (de Paor 2013, 58; Seaver and O’Sullivan 2015, 11-13) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 19 July 2016

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