What is recorded here

Clochan is a circular drystone hut set high on the southeast slopes of Fohernamanagh, the most inaccessible valley on mainland Corca Dhuibhne. Tradition links the place to St. Brendan, who may have founded a monastery there or paused before his legendary sea voyage, yet three or four families still lived in the valley at the start of the 19th century. The hut stands apart from the main enclosure, preserving the strange dual identity of the place: a hermitage for gods and a hardship home for people.

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. However, despite its isolation and the difficulty of access, the valley is reputed to have been occupied at the beginning of the 19th century by 3 or 4 families (Power 1923, 75-6), and it is not clear to what extent the present form of the settlement is attributable to this recent occupation. Apart from the enclosure and associated structures, several other huts and unclassified structures occur scattered around the valley (see location map). (2) (KE025-001012-) A circular drystone-built clochaun occurs high up on the SE slopes of the valley. 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

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