Church in An Blascaod Mór

There is no visible trace of 'the ruins of a very ancient church' which were recorded here in 1756 (Smith, 183). The church appears to have stood in the burial ground which occupies a small headland known as Rinn an Chaisleáin. The latter is also reputedly the site of a castle (KE051-002001-), and tooled masonry, uncovered in the past during excavation of a grave (Stagles 1980, 26), may be associated with either edifice. The 'Eccia de Inse' which appears in the Papal Taxation List (1302-7) for the diocese of Ardfert (Cal Docs Ire, V, 297) has been interpreted as referring to a church on this island (Hickson 1888, 448), but it seems more likely that the foundation referred to is that at Inch, E of Anascaul (KE045-089001-). The unconsecrated burial ground was used for the burial of unbaptised infants, shipwrecked sailors and suicides, and several grave-markers, consisting of low, upright stones, and drystone-built graves are still visible in the interior. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 976. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013