Ballincolla / Baile Chalaidh Kilbeg and Kilmore Early Ecclesiastical sites Dingle penisula is littered with an astonishing amount of archeological sites, ranging from enormous megalithic monuments, including some of the tallest standing stones in the country, to the most incredible collection of Early Christian sites. A lot of the monuments are suffering badly from neglect and natural erosion. Thankfully due to projects like Chorca Dhuibhne in 3d, and modern technology these monuments are now being recorded digitally, before they are lost forever. However nothing can replace the thrill of actually seeing these wonderful antiquities in their original environment.
These two ecclesiastic enclosures, Kilmore, meaning big church and Kilbeg little church, are beautifully situated just 30 metres apart in Ballincolla townland on the western side of the penisula. Kilbeg/An Chill Bheag is a subrectangular enclosure, aligned NNE-SSW it measure roughly 16 metres x 13 metres. Within the enclosure are three cross inscribed slabs and the cross inscribed bullaun stone, pictured below left. The rough cross shaped stone behind the bullaun also bears an inscribed latin cross, the other crss slab lies broken in two pieces. Kilmore/An Chill Mhór is a large circular walled enclosure, measuring 40.5 metres in diameter. The two stones in the foreground of the top image may mark the entrance. Standing inside the enclosure is the 1.23 metre high cross inscribed slab, pictured below right. These simple antiquities offer so much insight to our historical culture. |
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Situated: From Dunquin school on the R559 head north for 5.4 kilometres, then turn left go 1.1 K and then right for 190 metres. the two enclosures are at the top of the field on your left. look for the kissing gate. Discovery Map 70: Q 3315 0477. Last visit June 2021. Longitude: 10° 26' 23.0" W Latitude: 52° 10' 11.6" N Photos: José Gutiérrez. |
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