Hermitage in Scariff

Scariff Island is located 5 km SW of Hog's Head, on the N side of the mouth of Kenmare Bay. The ecclesiastical site KE105A001001- on it is reached by a path that leads uphill from the landing place at Coosaneeve/Cuas na Naomh, on the island's NE shore. It consists of the remains of a terraced oval enclosure, within which is the site of an oratory and a burial ground, as well as a nineteenth century house. Outside the enclosure at SW is a souterrain. Lewis noted 'the vestiges of an ancient hermitage (KE105A-001005-) or cell . . . covered by a mound of earth and stones raised by the Trigonometrical Surveyors of Ireland' on the summit of Scariff Island (1837, 546). There is no apparent trace of this potential site. 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. 967. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013