Mass-house in Carks

In rough pasture, in a sheltered hollow. The remains of a rectangular structure (13.7m E-W; 3.8m N-S) of drystone-built walls (T 1m; H 1.3m), covered by dense overgrowth. A pile of rubble at the E end may be the remains of a collapsed gable. The interior is divided into two compartments by a cross wall (T 0.9m): the larger room (8.8m E-W) is at the E end and has a door (Wth 0.8m) in the W end of its N wall; the smaller room (4m E-W) is at the W end. According to local information, this structure was used as a mass-house during 'Penal Times'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011