County: Kerry Site name: South Peak, Skellig Michael
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KE104A001 Licence number: 93E0195 ext.; C224; R117
Author: Alan Hayden, Archaeological Projects Ltd, 27, Coulson Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6.
Site type: Early ecclesiastic hermitage
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 424773m, N 560658m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.770774, -10.539140
Excavation work in 2008 concentrated on further terracing and stairs revealed at the end of the north-west passage on the north side of the peak. A steep gully heading directly to the top of the peak from the end of the north-west passage was also excavated and rock cut steps and handholds were uncovered. The north-west passage and this gully constitute the original route to the top of the South Peak, earlier than that previously discovered a number of years ago.
Two test-trenches opened on the roadway to the lower lighthouse for engineering purposes were monitored.
The work was funded by the OPW.
