Relickoran — Inishmurray

Located in an enclosure (SL001-004001-), on an eroding cliff face on the SE shoreline of Inishmurray Island. This burial ground is part of a complex of monuments, comprising two conjoined enclosures (SL001-004001-; SL001-004007-), two leachts (SL001-004002-; SL001-004006-), four cross-slabs (SL001-004004-; SL001-004008-; SL001-004009-; SL001-004010-) and a cross-inscribed pillar (SL001-004005-); it is named ‘Relickoran’ on the 1837 and 1912 OS 6-inch maps, and is a National Monument (no. 117) in state ownership. Subject to severe marine erosion, these monuments were archaeologically excavated (99E0381) over two seasons in 1999 and 2000; the results are described in detail in O’Sullivan and Ó Carragáin (2008, 251-298). Prior to excavation, there was little evidence, other than the placename, ‘Relickoran’ (Reilig Ódhráin or Ódran’s cemetery), to indicate the presence of a burial ground. However, the excavation revealed that the burial ground was in fact the primary monument here, pre-dating the construction of the conjoined enclosures and their respective leachts. The earliest graves, c. 20 in all, were oriented NE−SW. They underlay the E part of the larger enclosure (SL001-004001-), and extended to NE beyond the walls, indicating that they predated the construction of the enclosures. Although grave cuts were found, no skeletal remains survived, with the result that this earliest burial phase could not be dated precisely, but it may be contemporary with the earliest phase of monastic settlement on the island (O’Sullivan and Ó Carragáin 2008, 293) Later burials, c. 40 in total, were all oriented E−W. Skeletal remains were present, but poorly preserved. This reorganisation of the burial ground on an E−W orientation appears to have begun before the construction of the enclosures, as some E−W burials underlay the enclosure walls, leachts and paving. Radiocarbon dates, derived from skeletal material, suggest that the two enclosures, the leachts and the paved path in the larger enclosure were all constructed, in a single formal design, sometime after the early 8th century and before the 12th century. If the evidence of cross-slab style is taken into account, it may be possible to refine that estimate to the period between the late 9th to 11th centuries (O’Sullivan and Ó Carragáin 2008, 297). After the burial ground was enclosed, it continued in use for several centuries. The burials were mostly confined to the larger enclosure (MA001-004001-), with a particular concentration focused on the leacht (SL001-004002-). Graves were laid out in well-ordered rows, though many of the early burials were disturbed or truncated by later insertions. The latest burials dated from the late 15th to early 17th centuries. There was little evidence for coffins or shrouds, but several white quartzite pebbles were recovered, which appeared to have been deliberately deposited in the graves. Some of the graves grouped around the leacht (SL001-004002-) were edged with cist-like stone settings, and had flat cover stones. Two small cross-slabs (SL001-004009-; SL001-004010-) found close to the leacht were probably grave markers. The skeletal remains were fragmentary and in poor condition; no complete skeleton was recovered. Osteoarchaeological analysis of the remains determined that the burial ground was not segregated in any way, but used for the burial of a general population, male and female. It was possible to estimate the age at death of nine of the adult burials; none was over 40 years of age. A limited range of pathologies were noted, including degenerative joint disease, healed fracture and muscle strains, iron deficiency and spina bifida occulta, as well as various dental conditions, such as abscesses and caries. Relikoran may have been established as a satellite burial ground for laity not long after the monastery (SL001-001001-) was founded on Inishmurray, and continued in use to the mid-17th century. O’Sullivan and Ó Carragáin (2008, 293-97) emphasise that it is a unique example of an excavated satellite burial ground with a surviving suite of features that represents a single design of medieval date. Furthermore, its dedication to St. Odrán, a follower of St Columba of Iona, may have conferred a special spiritual benefit to burial at Relickoran. They speculate that ‘it may have been the burial place of an elite group, possibly patrons of the monastery or kin to its abbots, or indeed both.’ (O’Sullivan and Ó Carragáin 2008, 161-169; 251-298) Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 8 March 2018