What is recorded here

A rough rectangular block with a small hole marks the font beside Ballinskelligs Abbey, where Augustinian canons prayed after leaving the dangerous rock of Skellig Michael. The octagonal shaft and beaded base described in older accounts have mostly vanished, leaving only a stub of stone that may still carry water for baptism or may simply resist forgetting. In that bay, even loss keeps a shape.

Ballinskelligs Abbey (KE097-036----) was the priory of the Arroasian Canons of the Order of St Augustine, located on the W shore of Ballinskelligs Bay. It was founded in 1210, or shortly afterwards, originating from Rattoo in north Kerry. It is recorded that the early monastery of Skellig Michael (KE104A-001----) was transferred, due to the hazardous conditions on the rock, to this location prior to the mid-eleventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192; Smith 1756, 103). The priory retained possession of the Great Skellig and of the alias 'de Rupe Michaelis'. Lynch noted a limestone font (KE097-036011-) on its E side of the Church (KE097-036----) (1902, 350). The shaft was octagonal in section and was secured in a square base which featured a beaded moulding on all sides. The font, which is recorded in a Lawrence collection photograph (3068 WL), was reported in 1938 as having been 'knocked half sideways' (OPW). All that remains today is a rough, rectangular block, .7m x .2m, which features a perforation. 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. 1085. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

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