What is recorded here

Fohernamanagh is the most inaccessible settlement on mainland Corca Dhuibhne, a remote valley where tradition places St. Brendan before his legendary sea voyage. An irregular stone mound, partly held by drystone walls, still sits at the edge of a deep ravine, its purpose lost to time. The place feels like a threshold, where a hermit might have stacked stones to mark the boundary between the known world and the drowning dark.

Fohernamanagh/Fothair na Manach: The ecclesiastical nature of this settlement (KE025-001001-) is only indirectly suggested by its name and by its traditional association with St. Brendan. He is said both to have founded a monastery here (O'Donoghue 1895, 327-8) and to have sojourned here for a while before embarking on his legendary sea voyage (An Seabhac 1939, 132). Its remote location (it is undoubtedly the most inaccessible settlement on mainland Corca Dhuibhne) also suggests a monastic settlement. Apart from the enclosure and associated structures, several other huts and unclassified structures occur scattered around the valley (see location map). (4) (KE025-001006-) In the NE corner of the field to N of the enclosure, at the S edge of a deep ravine, is an irregularly-shaped mound of stone, partly retained by drystone revetment walling. It measures c. 6 x 6m x .5 to 2m in height; its function is uncertain. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 826. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 8 August 2013

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