What is recorded here

Two parallel stone mounds, heavy with quartz, still mark the south half of Templenacloonagh. They face Smerwick Harbour through an old enclosure that once held small worship buildings. The stones may have recorded life, death or ownership before written memory arrived. They remain as a quiet claim that the land was watched, valued and remembered long before modern maps.

Templenacloonagh/Teampall na Cluanach: Sub-rectangular enclosure KE042-113001- lies on a very gentle WNW facing slope and commands a good clear view in all directions, particularly NW to Smerwick Harbour. Within it can be seen the remains of an oratory, a 2nd building which is possibly a church, and 2 possible hut sites. Leachts: Centrally positioned in the S half of the enclosure are 2 parallel mounds of stone, including a large quantity of quartz. The W mound measures 5.5m N-S x 2.5m E-W x .6m in height and its W limit is marked by the 2 cross-inscribed stones and by a single course of stone facing. The E mound measures 5.25m N-S x 3.5m E-W x .6m in height. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 866. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 9 August 2013

Linked to an early Christian tradition, the site may be associated with a local saint or monastic activity, though specific details remain unclear. The name "Templenacloonagh" suggests a connection to a church or sanctuary, possibly linked to healing or pilgrimage practices in the medieval period.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.