Skeam Church (in Ruins)

On cliff edge, E shore of Skeam West Island. Ruins of rectangular church (3.84m N-S; max. surviving L 6.8m); E end of church fallen into sea. W end preserved to full height; antae project 0.5m beyond side walls, rising to ext. offset on W gable. Blocked rectangular ope in gable above offset. Ext. offset also visible on poorly preserved W wall. Central lintelled door in wall; foundations of splayed ope survive at ground level in S wall. Possible remains of springing course for stone roof at SW corner partially obscured by ivy. Raised rectangular area (10m N-S x 6m E-W) adjoins W end of church; remains of mortares wall at N side. Extensive burial ground (2952) to N and S of church. Excavation (1990) revealed portion of V-shaped ditch (max. Wth 1.5m; D 0.7m) (CO149-011005-) S of church. Remains of secondary habitation to S of church dating to 16th/17th centuries (pers. comm. C. Cotter). 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

Skeam Church, a ruined rectangular structure on the cliff edge of Skeam West Island, was likely built in the early medieval period, possibly by a local Christian community. Its architectural features suggest a simple, early ecclesiastical style, and its location indicates significance as a coastal place of worship, though specific dedications or builders are not recorded.