County: Kerry Site name: Skellig Michael
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KE104A-001 Licence number: 93E1095 ext.
Author: Alan R. Hayden
Site type: Early medieval pilgrimage site
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 424677m, N 560649m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.770660, -10.540519
A final season of work on the South Peak saw the excavation of the Ledge with Fallen Stones and the Broad Ledge. The remains of poorly-preserved terracing, steps, a possible leacht, a cross setting, a quarry and unique holes for a tripod were revealed on the former ledge and the last remnants of a substantial staircase on latter. A completely new route to the monastery form the sea at the north-east corner of the island was also discovered and partly explored. It is likely to have been the earliest route to the monastery and was superseded by the East Steps.
haydenar@eircom.net
