What is recorded here

Kinard Church vanished entirely, leaving only a rectangular graveyard where two ogham stones and a displaced bullaun stone still mark the spot. The church first appeared in papal records between 1302 and 1307, yet those ancient markers suggest people worshipped there long before written lists existed. The high headland keeps the church hidden, but the graveyard still faces the Dingle Peninsula mountains, preserving a faith older than the building that once stood there.

Kinard church (KE053-053001-)/Teampall Chinn Aird (Church of the High Headland): The parish church of Kinard is first mentioned in the Papal Taxation List (1302-7) for the Diocese of Ardfert (Cal Docs Ire, V, 297), but the presence of 2 ogham stones and a bullaun stone at the site indicate that it probably occupies the site of an earlier foundation. There are no visible remains of the church today. It was situated in a rectangular graveyard (KE053-053004-) in the townland of Kinard East, also known as Cinn Aird an Teampaill. The surrounding district is also known locally as Tearmann Fhíonáin, from the patron saint of the Parish on whose feast-day a pattern was formerly held at the site (OSL; An Seabhac 1939, 150). In 2011 a graveyard survey carried out by Ann Frykler and Robert Hanbidge of Headland Archaeology Ltd. recorded the following details: ‘Kinard Graveyard is located within the townland of Kinard East (ED Kinard), Co. Kerry, approximately 5.5 km southeast Dingle on the Dingle Peninsula. The graveyard is located on the northern side of a low mountain and has extensive view to the mountains that form the Dingle Peninsula to the north including the peaks of Mt. Brandon, Slievanea and Cnoc Mhaoilionain. The graveyard is located on a relatively level area at the base of slope that rises sharply to the south. The graveyard is recorded in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) as KE053‐053004, and contains the site of a church (no longer visible) listed as KE053‐053001. Within the graveyard, two ogham stones are also recorded; KE053‐053002 and KE053‐053005. A bullaun stone KE053‐053003 is recorded as been located within the graveyard, but it is presently located outside the graveyard to the north' (Hanbidge 2011, 1-6) The above description is derived from J. Cuppage (compiler) 'Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey.' Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne (1986), no. 863. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Robert Hanbidge Date of revised upload: 1 July 2022

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.