Enclosure in An Fhaiche

Calluragh burial ground (KE034-014001-) /An Cheallúnach: Two cross-slabs stand within this irregular, stone-walled enclosure which lies about 500m to NE of Faha village, on the S slopes of an E spur of Brandon mountain. Children were still being buried here in the early 19th century (OSNB Cloghane, 26). The pilgrim's path from Cloghane to the summit of Brandon mountain passes through the village, and Harbison (forthcoming) suggests that the calluragh may have been associated with this ancient pilgrimage. A boulder located c. 75m to S of the site is also inscribed with a cross (KE034-013----), and a 2nd calluragh (KE034-148----) was apparently located adjacent to the village. The ruined circular enclosing wall noted by the OS has been replaced by relatively modern walls, and the present enclosure is irregular in plan. It measures 14.5m N-S and 13m E-W internally. The E, N and W sides are bounded by field walls and the S side by a lm high scarp, the level interior being raised above the external ground level on this downhill side. The original wall appears to be preserved at a few points. A 3m long section of curved walling at SE may be part of it as may a low curved bank in the NW corner of the present enclosure. Some large slabs at the base of the N wall may also be related to the earlier wall. The cross-slabs stand upright near the S edge of the enclosure. (1) This stone is .27m wide, .14m thick and .65m high. It is aligned NNW-SSE and tilts slightly to SSE. Both faces bear a cross of arcs in light relief within a circle. (2) This stone is .38m wide, .1m thick and .35m high. Its flat W face is inscribed with a circle which contains faint traces of other markings, perhaps a Maltese cross. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 835. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 8 August 2013