Toorybrenell — Inishmurray

This clochan, traditionally known as ‘Toorybrennel’ or ‘the schoolhouse’, is located in the W half of an ecclesiastical enclosure (SL011-011001-) known as ‘The Cashel’. It abuts the S side of Templenatinny church (SL001001011-). Clochan or beehive cell of drystone construction, subcircular on plan, internally and externally, with walls of coursed small and medium rubble rising to a slab-built corbelled roof (internally). The structure is set within a terraced area in the north-west of the Cashel where it is conjoined to a smaller corbelled cell (SL001-001084-) on the south and on the north abuts Templenatinny (SL001-001011-). Access is via a narrow alley leading through the terrace revetment from the cemetery (SL001-001029-). The doorway is in the north and is formed by massive single-stone jambs. There is a wall bench at the west or right-hand side (entering) and, opposite the door, a narrow, deep window. There are two low aumbries - at ground level - in the south and east. The external wall face is thicker at the base, stepping in to form a level scarcement around the full circuit of the wall at shoulder level. The floor is currently spread with modern gravel. The clochan has been substantially rebuilt in restoration works. The above description is derived from the survey of the archaeological remains undertaken in 1998-99 and published in J. O’Sullivan and T. Ó Carragáin 2008 Inishmurrary. Monks and pilgrims in an Atlantic landscape. Volume 1: Archaeological Survey and Excavations 1997-2000. Cork. The Collins Press. Date of upload: 15 June 2012