2025:312 - Sceilg Mhichíl, Kerry

Archaeological monitoring of the annual sweep was undertaken on 16 and 17 April 2025. Nothing of archaeological interest was disturbed by the work. The setting up of ropes, however, provided an opportunity to examine the slope above Cross Cove for the first time. This revealed that the East Link Route crossed the very top of the scree slope here and led to the rock-cut and masonry steps at the back of the Crocodile Rock Platform. Examination of the platform revealed the original early-medieval route up to the Christ’s Saddle ran up a gully at the back of the platform, the top of which was marked by a cross cut from the rock. An entrance and terrace at the east side of the platform marked the top of the route down to the Southeast Landing, one of the four landing places used by the monks. These newly identified routes, coupled with recent research on the history of the lighthouse occupation of the rock, demonstrate that the presently used South Steps were in fact built in 1821-2 and the present visitor to the rock does not set foot on an early-medieval surface or steps until they enter the monastery.