What is recorded here

Three rectangular stone mounds still stand inside the cashel wall on Illauntannig, their surfaces scattered with quartz pebbles that catch the Atlantic light. People were still walking rounds around them in the nineteenth century, keeping a ritual alive long after the bee-hive huts fell silent. The island sits at the northern edge of two bays, exposing whoever climbs ashore to wind, distance and the company of the dead.

National Monument No. 67. Illauntannig is the largest of the Magharee Islands which lie off the N tip of the peninsula that separates Brandon Bay and Tralee Bay. The Early Christian settlement KE019-002001- is enclosed by a strong cashel wall and is comprised of 2 small oratories, 3 bee-hive huts, a Man-made underground passage and wall-chamber, 3 leachts, a burial ground and a stone cross. Three cross-slabs, a bullaun stone, a hand-bell and fragments of 5 quern-stones have also been discovered within the enclosure and a 2nd bullaun stone lies at the edge of the sea about 100m to S. The hut-site, old field walls and reputed cross-inscribed boulder on Reennafardarrig may also be related to this early settlement. Leachts: Three leachts also occur within the enclosure. These are rectangular, dry stone-faced mounds of stone orientated NNE-SSW. They range in size from 3.9 x 4.4m to 5.25 x 4.25m and are c. 1m high. A considerable quantity of quartz pebbles are visible on the surface of the mounds. Rounds were still being performed at these mounds in the 19th century (OSNB). The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 843. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 8 August 2013

Leacht in Illauntannig is associated with early Christian tradition, likely linked to monastic activity given its location within an enclosed settlement. No specific saint or cure is recorded, but its positioning on a remote island suggests ritual or pilgrimage significance in the medieval period.

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