Church in Inis Mhic Aoibhleáin

Inishvickillane, the southernmost of the Blasket islands, lies 7 miles SW of Slea Head and 9 miles from the nearest embarkation point at Dunquin pier. The island has an area of 199 acres and the Early Christian monastic settlement KE061-006---- lies at the SE end of the island, on the E slopes of a rocky buff which rises prominently above the remainder of the island. (1) (KE061-006001-) A rectangular dry stone oratory measuring 3.96m N-S x 3.08m E-W internally. The walls, 1 to 1.25m thick, are preserved to a height of c. 1.7m but exhibit no trace of corbelling. The W wall has been repaired from c. 0.4m above floor level, the collapse here probably due to pressure from the rising ground level externally. The oratory is unusual in that the lintelled doorway, .53m wide x 1.08m high, is positioned in the E wall and, as a result, the E window, which normally occupies a central position, is situated near the SE corner. The splayed ope of the latter now lacks its head and rear arch, but was probably lintelled in a similar manner to the doorway. A thin flag, .25 x .16m, which projects below the E window was probably an altar stone. The enclosure wall which extends W from the oratory is unlikely to be contemporary with it as it obscures the external angle at SW. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 845. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 8 August 2013