Ecclesiastical enclosure in Kilgulbin East

Internal diameter 200m E-W This ecclesiastical enclosure is situated NW of a small stream which flows NE. The surrounding land is low-lying, wet and rocky. In a field near this enclosure, a bronze triangular hanging bowl was discovered in 1927. The bowl consists of a single sheet of thin bronze and is triangular in shape. When found three suspension chains were present but these have since been lost. This vessel has two ogham inscriptions: the first, on one of the escutcheons, reads downwards BLADNACH CUILEN; the second runs along the upper surface of the rim and reads BLADNACH COGRADEDENA. It is difficult to know whether the inscriptions are contemporary with the vessel or inscribed later. The bowl is probably not earlier than c 650 AD. (For full description see J. Raftery JRSAI 96, 1966, 29-38). The enclosure is possibly a trivallate ecclesiastical enclosure, within which is a square stone enclosure (KE021-051001-), possible foundations of a church (KE021-051002-), mounds and depressions (KE021-051003-). The stone, roughly square enclosure is 31m N-S and 30m E-W with walls 2m thick. In its NE sector is a sub-square structure which is possibly the church remains; it is 8.3m N-S x 7.5m E-W, with walls c 1.2m thick. SW of this are at least four small mounds and a scattering of stones, while to the W is a small depression. A low bank surrounds the stone enclosure, and in its NW sector are several depressions revealing stones. A middle enclosing bank can be traced from the NE through E to S to SW. It is low and wide, measuring on average 8m wide and .5m high. A semi-circular structure is curved into the bank on its exterior side to the E. It is internally 22m N-S x 17m E-W and rises to .6m high. To the NE of this are two curving banks. Also, in the middle enclosing bank, to the S, the bank divides into two and forms a sub-oval area, 19m N-S and 56m E-W. The outer enclosing bank can only be traced from the E to S towards W. There is a 30m wide opening between the middle and outer bank, and it is possible that this marks the entrance to the monastic site. See also Ardfert Cathedral (KE020-046002-), Glenderry (KE013-023001-) and Glandahalin East (KE014-001----). The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 838. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013