2018:222 - CILL BUAINE, Kerry

Following on from the excavations at the gable shrine in 2016 it was clear that the two side slabs were badly cracked and would need support to avoid collapse. In 2018 it was agreed to place two modern Valentia slate slabs inside the extant originals to provide support. This required the reopening of the cutting on the north side of the shrine and the opening of a new cutting 1.2m long and 0.5m wide on the south side of the shrine. One piece of 13th-century pottery was recovered in opening this new cutting. At the same time as this work was being undertaken the adjacent cross slab, which was leaning badly, was righted. The works on conserving the shrine are now complete.