St Colmcille's Arch Enclosure — Disert

In pasture, abutting the E side of an ecclesiastical enclosure (DG084-001001-). This small enclosure consists of a subcircular area (c. 5m by 6m) defined by a low, sod-covered stone bank/wall, incorporating medium-sized stones and large boulders, which appears to overlie, and therefore post-date, the ecclesiastical enclosure (Beglane et al. 2016, Appendix 2). An entrance feature, known locally as ‘The arch’ or ‘St. Columcille’s arch’, is incorporated into the stone bank. It consists of two close-set, upright slabs (H c. 1m), with their long axes parallel. The two uprights support a horizontal lintel slab, on top of which is a loose heap of small stones. A large stone slab lies prostrate in the interior of the small enclosure. According to local tradition, pilgrims performing the ‘pattern’ at the holy well (DG084-001004-), located 35m to NW, incorporated this small enclosure into the ritual: those seeking a cure from backache squeezed through the arch three times, while reciting prayers, and then lay on the prostrate slab in the interior of the enclosure (Beglane et al. 2016, 18). Suggestions that the upright stones of ‘the arch’ may be part of a megalithic tomb have been discounted. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 9 August 2017