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Situated on the steep SE slopes of Bolus Head, from which it commands a magnificent view over the mouth of Kenmare Bay to the Beara Peninsula at S, this site comprises a strong cashel wall which encloses an oratory, a circular hut, three rectangular buildings, a cross-slab and a covered passage. Just outside the enclosure, at N, is a rectangular platform with a leacht and a cross-slab. This site was in use as a ceallúnach until the nineteenth century (OSNB Prior, 51), and a holy well is located c. 90m to SW (KE097-059----)
Oratory (KE097-044002-): The rear of this rectangular drystone building almost abuts the inner face of the sites enclosing element at E. Measuring c. 5.8m E-W x 4.8m N-S externally, it now lacks its corbelled roof. The SW angle stands to an internal height of 1.6m, but elsewhere the walls, averaging 1.3m thick, do not exceed 1.5m in height. The wall at N is flush with external ground level. The oratory measures 3.25m E-W x 2.25 N-S internally, and was lit by a splayed ope located midway along its S wall. The W doorway, .7m wide at present ground level, inclines in elevation to .37m below the head. It is .8m high. Just above the level of its external lintel a slab, 1.1m long, projects .1m out from the wall-face.
To see a 3D model of this monument visit: https://skfb.ly/6qBQG
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. 951. 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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