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Located towards the top of a N-facings slope with a N-S ravine immediately to the E. St Declan’s Oratory (ext. dims. 6.4m E-W; 4.1m N-S), known in Irish as 'Beannachán Deaglain' (Power 1932c, 19-20) is complete (H of walls 2.2m) with projecting antae (L 0.45m) at E and W, and a lintelled W doorway which is now blocked. It was renovated in 1716 by Dr Thomas Mills, Bishop of Waterford, when the N doorway was inserted, the stone roof restored and the E window rebuilt as a rectangular opening (Westropp 1903, 366-7). An ogham stone (WA040-008005-) was removed from the E gable c. 1855 (FitzGerald 1854-5) and is now kept in the cathedral. The floor (int. dims. 4.1m E-W; 2.65m N-S) is paved with limestone flags, and a rectangular pit (dims. 2.15m E-W; 0.8m N-S; D 0.95m) is set within it, from which pilgrims removed samples of earth. It is traditionally thought to be the grave of St Declan, where a small cross-inscribed black stone (dims. 5cm x 4cm), known as Dhubheen Deaglain - the little black stone of Declan - and used as a charm but now lost, was found (FitzGerald 1860-1, 51-3). (Power 1932c 19-20; Power 1898b, 159-60; Westropp 1903, 366-7; Harbison 1992b, 324-5)
FitzGerald, E. (1854-5) On St Declan’s Oratory at Ardmore, County of Waterford, and the old Irish inscription built into its east end. JRSAI 3, 223-31.
FitzGerald, E. (1860-1) ‘On Lugud’s leacht, and the “Duivhin Deglain.”’ JRSAI, 6, 47-53.
Harbison, P. (1992b) Guide to the national and historic monuments of Ireland. Gill and Macmillan Ltd., Dublin.
Power, Rev. P. (1932c) Ardmore; its founder and early Christian monuments. Catholic Truth Society. Dublin
Power, Rev. P. (1898b) Excursion guides – 2: Ardmore. WAJ 4, 147-63.
Westropp, T. J. (1903) Notes on the antiquities of Ardmore. JRSAI, 33, 353-80.
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Compiled by: Michael Moore
Date of upload/revision: 17 October 2011
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