Church in Beginish (iveragh By.)

Oratory (KE079-056001-): This rectangular drystone oratory is located close to the modern field boundary at E and is orientated ENE-WSW. It measures 4.6m x 2.7m internally and its outline is partially obscured by a build-up of collapsed material. The walls, 1.4m wide, are constructed of coursed masonry that encloses a rubble core. Thinner slabs are employed in the construction of the inner wall-face. Traces of an offset are visible on the external face at N, and the external angles of the building are slightly rounded. No clearly defined entrance is apparent, though the rubble is less concentrated for a short distance at W. Up to ten uninscribed upright slabs are located in the W half of its interior, and these presumably relate to the site's use as a ceallúnach. 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. 932. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013