Ecclesiastical enclosure in Na Gleannta Thuaidh

This circular enclosure, in use until the 19th century as a calluragh burial ground (KE043-028001-) (OSNB Dingle, book 2, 20), is situated on the S side of the valley that lies between the W spurs of Brandon Peak and Ballysitteragh mountain. The foundations of 3 huts can be traced within the enclosure, and the remainder of the interior is completely taken up with graves, the majority of which are low mounds c. 1.25 to 1.5m long and .5m high, often defined at their E and W ends by low upright stones. A cross-slab (1) lies loose on one of these graves and a 2nd cross-slab (2) stands upright on a cairn of stones which lies about 10m E of the enclosure. The enclosure measures 34m E-W x 31.5m N-S internally. Its enclosing wall is now largely reduced to a band of stone collapse, up to .5m high, the inner and outer faces visible only intermittently. In the N sector, the wall is surmounted by a modern field wall, and a laneway skirts the W part of the site. Access to the interior is provided by a 1.5m wide gap at ESE. A large upright slab, 1.25m high, lines the N side of the gap and a slab of similar dimensions stands at right angles to the first on the S side. Huts: (1) (KE043-028003-) Abutting the enclosure wall at W, this rectangular structure measures c. 5m E-W x 2.68m N-S internally and its walls stand to a maximum height of .6m. Its W end is no longer traceable and the band of stone collapse in the interior may represent an internal dividing wall. (2) (KE043-028005-) The foundations of a circular hut lie a short distance to E of (1). It measures 6m N-S x 5m E-W internally and the wall is largely reduced to a band of stone collapse with only a few short stretches of wall facing now discernible. The E facing entrance is defined at one side by a low upright stone. (3) (KE043-028006-) An oval foundation located in the SE part of the enclosure. The interior measures 6m x 2.75m and the wall is 1m wide and up to .75m high. There are entrance gaps in the N and S walls and traces of an internal dividing wall. Cross-slabs: (1) A coffin-shaped slab measuring .7m in length x .37m in width. One face is inscribed with a Latin cross with expanded terminals. (2) The mound of stones to E of the enclosure is sub-circular in outline and measures 8m x 7m a maximum of 1m in height. The cross-slab at its E end measures .83m in height x .38m to .47m in width. Both faces are inscribed with a cross in circle, the lower arm continuing beyond the circle to terminate with a very faint pelta motif. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 841. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 8 August 2013