What is recorded here

Rosscarbery is where St Fachtna of Molana founded a monastery around 600 AD, making it the principal monastery of Corca Loigde and later the see of Ross diocese. Norsemen raided the sacred site in 990, yet a town gradually rose around the surviving religious heart. The cathedral still stands at the east end, while an underground passage nearby hints that human hands shaped the land long before modern roads arrived.

The town of Rosscarbery occupies site of monastery founded by St Fachtna of Molana c. 600 AD, raided by Norsemen in 990 (Gwynn and Hadcock, 1988, 96); principal monastery of Corca Loigde and famous for its school, later chosen as see of Ross diocese, (C of I cathedral (3247) at E end of town) (Killanin and Duignan 1962, 412). According to Lewis (1837, Vol. 2, 534) 'a town gradually rose around the monastery, which Hanmer describes as a walled city'. Smith (1750, Vol. 2, 407) describes a Man-made underground passage (2181) near the cathedral, otherwise no visible trace of Early Christian settlement. One of several episcopal centres in Ireland tentatively identified as pre-Norman ecclesiastical towns (Graham 1988, 28). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.