County: Kerry Site name: DERRYNANE MORE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Catryn Power, for National Parks & Monuments Branch, Office of Public Works
Site type: Church and Midden
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 451581m, N 558465m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.758823, -10.150043
Archaeological investigation took place on Abbey Island when the grounds around Aghamore Abbey were to be extended. In one trial trench a well, 70cm in height, was uncovered. This was covered by a capstone (1.25m in length and its width was exposed for 25-60cm) and uses the bedrock as a natural basin. At the east side of the natural basin there are 4-5 courses of dry stone walling and 3 on the south side. At a higher level a layer of midden material, 30-60cm in thickness, contained a sherd of 13th–14th century green glazed pottery. Excavation also exposed a wall which has a maximum height of 1.45m and varies from 60-67cm in width. Both sides are plastered with a mortar surface. This wall was uncovered for at least 12m and curves from a north-west to a south-east direction. A trampled area pre-dating the construction of the wall covers some stones which may belong to a structure earlier than the wall. This area awaits completion of the excavation.
The abbey of Derrynane, or Aghamore Abbey, was probably founded in the 6th century. It became a dependency of Dairinis, Youghal, in the Middle Ages. The wall and well uncovered may be part of a settlement here in medieval or post-medieval times.
