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The remains of this oratory are situated in a large rectangular graveyard (KE079-026002-) on gently sloping land between Slievagh mountain and the Ferta river at S. The extent of the modern graveyard appears to have obliterated any other early features which may have existed on this site, including a possible leacht recorded here in the early 1840s (OSL).
Oratory (KE079-026001-): Located in the SW quadrant of the graveyard, the remains of this building are poorly preserved. Measuring 5.2m x 4.2m internally, it is drystone-built with carefully laid horizontal courses of flat slabs. A tendancy towards corbelling is only evident at N. Externally there has been a substantial rise in ground level, partially obscuring an offset which runs along the side-walls and the E end-wall. The N and S side-walls average 1.4m high internally and 1m in basal thickness, while the E end-wall reaches a maximum height of 1.8m and averages 1.1m thick. Roughly midway along the internal face of the E wall is a splayed and lintelled niche with a stepped base, measuring .62m x .4m x .43m. The W end-wall stands 1.45m high internally and averages 1.2m in basal thickness. It features a double-lintelled trabeate doorway, .85m high and .74m wide at present ground level.
Possible Leacht: The OSL recorded a 'stone altar' which was located 'a few perches' E of the oratory and formed the focal point for the stations which were formerly performed at the site. No trace now remains of this feature, which may have been a leacht. A handled wooden vessel of Medieval date was discovered buried in the graveyard in the 1940s (NMI 1945:182).
See attached drawing of oratory taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 168
The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 937. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload: 30 July 2013
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