Structure in Baile Na Habha (tc Cill Chuáin)

Fohernamanagh/Fothair na Manach: The ecclesiastical nature of this settlement (KE025-001001-) is only indirectly suggested by its name and by its traditional association with St. Brendan. He is said both to have founded a monastery here (O'Donoghue 1895, 327-8) and to have sojourned here for a while before embarking on his legendary sea voyage (An Seabhac 1939, 132). Its remote location (it is undoubtedly the most inaccessible settlement on mainland Corca Dhuibhne) also suggests a monastic settlement. However, despite its isolation and the difficulty of access, the valley is reputed to have been occupied at the beginning of the 19th century by 3 or 4 families (Power 1923, 75-6), and it is not clear to what extent the present form of the settlement is attributable to this recent occupation. Apart from the enclosure and associated structures, several other huts and unclassified structures occur scattered around the valley (see location map). (5) This feature (KE025-001014-) consists of a rectangular, dry stone-lined pit, built into a shallow gully which is now dry. The pit measures 3.6m in length x 1.05m in width x 1.3m in height and is open to NNW. Its floor lies 1.3m below the bed of the gully on the SSE side and 1.25m above the bed of the gully on the NNW side; the latter step also appears to have been stone-faced. The function of this feature is not known but Power (1923, 74) interpreted it as a sluice. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 826. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 8 August 2013