Ecclesiastical enclosure in Killoluaig

Killoluaigh Burial Ground / Cill Ó Luaig: Situated in level pasture, this site occupies a roughly rectangular area which is delimited by modern field boundaries. Within this is an oval-shaped enclosure, an earthwork complex and a number of house sites. The enclosure contains a leacht and a gable-shrine, a holed stone, and numerous uninscribed grave-markers which relate to the use of the site as a ceallúnach (OSNB Killemlagh, 20). A pillar stone is incorporated into the external face of the enclosing element at S. A second ceallúnach (KE088-011001-) is located a short distance to E. Enclosure (KE088-010012-) The area enclosed measures 25.4m NE-SW x 17.4m NW-SE internally. It is defined by a bank of earth and stone, the external face of which is largely collapsed at N. The bank averages 1.3m high externally and is 3m wide at base. The interior of the site is slightly raised above the external ground level. Two gaps, at NW and SW, may represent entrances. A sod-covered ridge of outcrop abuts the enclosure at W. Leacht (KE088-010003-) and Gable-Shrine (KE088-010006-): This raised rectangular platform measures 4.3m NNW-SSE x 2.3m WSW-ENE, and is located in the NW quadrant of the enclosure. It is defined on three sides by contiguous uprights. Of stony composition, its upper surface appears to have been paved with flags, some of which remain. An L-shaped slab lying on the W side of the leacht may be a displaced paving stone; it may be the 'broken stone cross' referred to by Henry at this site (1957, 100). The triangular gable-shrine, positioned towards the N end of the leacht, is formed of two inwardly inclining, rectangular slabs of slate and one remaining end-stone. The ends of the side-stones were rebated on their inner faces to accommodate the end-stones. The shrine measures c.1.1m long and .6m high. Lynch recorded the presence of human bones, including two skulls, in it (1902a, 56). Fragments of these remain, along with quantities of quartz pebbles and scallop shells. Holed Stone (KE088-010005-): Re-used as a burial marker, this stone is located near the E limits of the enclosure. Trapezoidal in elevation, it measures .4m x .45m x .06m thick and features a small central perforation, .02m in diameter. Burial Ground (KE088-010001-): Numerous low grave-markers are evenly distributed throughout the enclosure. Some of them are disposed in regular rows, and others are arranged as head- and end-stones marking either end of horizontal grave-covering slabs. Scatterings of quartz occur through out the burial area. Pillar Stone (KE08-010004-): A standing stone of regular elevation projects from the outer face of the enclosure at SSW. It inclines slightly to S and stands 1.65m high and .45m wide at base. A fragment of a stone basin, possibly a bullaun stone (KE088-010009-) is reputed to have lain at the base of this stone up to the early 1950s (Henry 1957, 100). Earthworks (KE08-010010-) Angular and curvilinear stretches of earthen and stone banks occur NW and N of the enclosure. A large rectangular enclosure at NW contains a pair of rectangular house sites, each of which measures 5m x 4m internally. Some of the curvilinear stretches of the bank to E may represent the foundations of additional structures. Cork University Press (1996), no. 960.