Ecclesiastical enclosure in Kilmaclenine

Faint trace of large oval enclosure (c. 95m N-S; c. 140m E-W) visible in aerial photograph (CASAP), as shadow site NNW->NNE and E->S and as cropmark of fosse S->NNW. Kilmaclenine church and graveyard (14434,14594) in interior, off-centre to S. Field boundary, which cuts enclosure on N-S axis, kinks where it crosses line of enclosure. Within enclosure, smaller subcircular enclosure (diam. c. 35m) visible in aerial photograph as cropmark of fosse S->N, to W of field boundary, and as curve of present graveyard enclosure E->S to E of field boundary; graveyard forms SE quadrant of this enclosure. The oval enclosure also visible as slight rise S->N and scarp N->SE, in second aerial photograph (J. Monk, March 1998). According to Gwynn and Hadcock (1988, 393), there was an early monastic site at Kilmaclenine, 'probably founded by St Colman mac Leinin of Cloyne (d. 606:AI)'. Hurley (1979, 79) also lists it as an early ecclesiastical site. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009