Beginish

6 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Beginish, from 263 m² to 252,235 m² (25.22 ha, 62.33 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 3 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, or as GeoJSON or KML.

No zone of a development plan covers Beginish in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

No planning application touches the townland of Beginish in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: Valencia Harbour/Portmagee Channel SAC 002262
• Special Protection Area: Iveragh Peninsula SPA 004154
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Valencia River Estuary 001383

Recorded monuments

• KE079-027 Field system
  Description

  Four huts occur within an old field system (KE079-027----) that stretches from Goat's Rock to the Pilot's Lookout on the W side of Beginish Island. The huts appear to be associated with a large, poorly preserved enclosure that incorporates Goat's Rock, a large natural outcrop, on its E side. (1) (KE079-027001-) Outside the enclosure at S is a circular arrangement of slabs set on edge with a possible entrance at W. D: 2.9m. (2) (KE079-027005-) A rectangular arrangement of stones, open to the S, 6m S of (1). D: 2m x 1.6m. H: .3m. (3) (KE079-027004-) Abutting the enclosure at N, the rectangular foundations of a hut open at SW. D: 3.6m x 2.75m. (4) Built into the rock-face, a probable sheepfold. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1131. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-027001 Hut site
  Description

  Four huts occur within an old field system (KE079-027----) that stretches from Goat's Rock to the Pilot's Lookout on the W side of Beginish Island. The huts appear to be associated with a large, poorly preserved enclosure that incorporates Goat's Rock, a large natural outcrop, on its E side. (1) (KE079-027001-) Outside the enclosure at S is a circular arrangement of slabs set on edge with a possible entrance at W. D: 2.9m. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1131. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-027002 Enclosure
  Description

  For descriptive account see O'Sullivan and Sheehan (1996, 385, no. 1131). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011

• KE079-027004 Hut site
  Description

  Four huts occur within an old field system (KE079-027----) that stretches from Goat's Rock to the Pilot's Lookout on the W side of Beginish Island. The huts appear to be associated with a large, poorly preserved enclosure that incorporates Goat's Rock, a large natural outcrop, on its E side. (3) (KE079-027004-) Abutting the enclosure at N, the rectangular foundations of a hut open at SW. D: 3.6m x 2.75m. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1131. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-027005 Hut site
  Description

  Four huts occur within an old field system (KE079-027----) that stretches from Goat's Rock to the Pilot's Lookout on the W side of Beginish Island. The huts appear to be associated with a large, poorly preserved enclosure that incorporates Goat's Rock, a large natural outcrop, on its E side. (2) (KE079-027005-) A rectangular arrangement of stones, open to the S, 6m S of (1). D: 2m x 1.6m. H: .3m. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1131. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-028 Midden
  Description

  The N side of the sandy isthmus that joins the western end of Beginish Island to Canroe is heavily eroded. The erosion has exposed a shell midden 14m from the high water mark, as well as a number of old field walls (KE079-031001-) built of water-rolled stones. The exposed deposit is an irregular spread of shells and stones that measures 4.1m NW-SE x 2m NE-SW and averages .2m thick. Though composed mainly of limpets, the midden also contains scallop and oyster shells. The stones are water-rolled pebbles, many of which are shattered, and the deposit also includes animal bone and some red deer teeth. A sample of limpet shells from the midden yielded a radiocarbon date of 2380±50 BP (Su-1788). In 1983 a stone axehead was found protruding from the edge of the midden, and in 1988 a granite pounder with abraded ends was found resting on its upper surface. Both objects are now in NMI (1988:221; 1988:222). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 3. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013

• KE079-031001 Field system
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Prior to the excavation most of the structures noted above were visible as surface features. Erosion, hastened by the introduction of rabbits to the island in the 1920s, had obliterted Canroe’s grass-cover and virtually all of its vegetation, thus exposing the houses and the field system. The excavations demonstrated the occurrence of two main periods of occupation. The first phase dated to the Early Medieval period and may have preceded the second phase, which was also Early Medieval in date, by a short time only. This latter phase produced several finds of Scandinavian character, which may point to the existence of a Hiberno-Viking settlement on the island at this time. The excavation also provided some evidence for the temporary occupation of Canroe during the Medieval period. The evidence for the earliest period of occupation consists of five houses (1-5), fifteen cairns (9-23), six animal shelters (24-29) and all but four of the field walls (32). All of these features occurred on the turf-covered surface of the boulder clay which was later engulfed in wind-blown sand. The excavator interpreted the presence of cairns as being suggestive of the practice of tillage, a theory reinforced by the finding of two querns re-used in the construction of one of the later houses (6). Stock-raising also appears to have been practised. Associated with almost all of the houses were deposits of limpet and periwinkle shells. The site appears to have been abandoned with the accumulation of a layer of sand, averaging .5m thick, which was followed by a period when vegetation again became established. This resulted in the development of another turf layer, averaging .55m thick, on which a great scatter of angular stones accumulated. The second phase of occupation appears to be contemporary with this last layer and comprises three houses (6-8), two animal shelters (30-31) and four field walls (33-36). The turf-layer joining house (6) with houses (7) and (8) no longer exists, but the excavator considered it likely that all three houses were contemporary. There may have been a greater emphasis on stock-raising during this period, and ox, pig, sheep, fish and sea-birds are represented in its bone assemblage. Great quantities of shell-fish were also uncovered. These houses were abandoned when a .8m deep sand layer accumulated very rapidly. This was followed by the formation of more thin turf layers. Houses: (1) This is O’Kelly’s House 2, and was fully excavated. Located 60m E of House 6, only the foundations of this circular structure, 6.5m in internal diameter, survived. Its wall may have been up to 2m in thickness, but almost all its facing stones were robbed. The .7m wide entrance at SE was marked by two upright jambstones. Excavation revealed the remains of an inner structure which appeared to have been built with the facing stones of House (1), and, therefore, postdates it. The wall of the inner structure was also subsequently robbed of its facing slabs. Its entrance, marked by a few larger slabs, was directly opposite that of House (2). No domestic refuse was recovered from this house, which was interpreted as an animal shelter or an enclosure. (2-5) These are O'Kelly's Houses 3, 4, 5 and 8, and were marked only by the remnants of their foundation courses, which were robbed in antiquity. Two are located close to the E shore, one occurs close to the summit of Canroe, and the fourth is on the lower W side of it. (6) Located on the E slope of Canroe, this semi-subterranean house, O’Kelly’s House 1, was fully excavated. Prior to excavation it appeared as a large mound of stone, with some facing visible, and with a large deposit of shells and animal bone extending from its E side. Excavation revealed it to be a circular house, 11m in external diameter. Its corbelled wall stood to a maximum height of 3.5m above the original floor level and averaged 1.9m in basal thickness. Though well-built, its finish is rough and uneven with many large interstices. There is a lintelled entrance passage, 2.5m long, with inclining jambs at E; at its inner end it measures .82m in basal width and 1.75m in height, and at its outer end, marked by a threshold slab, it measures 1.15m and 1.95m respectively. Beyond the outer wall-face the open passage, with sides built of boulders, extended for a further 5m. The innermost lintel of the entrance passage bore a Runic inscription on its underside. The initial words of this inscription are fairly well-preserved but its end is almost completely obliterated. It was read as: LIR . RISTI . STIN . ThINA + [MUNUIKL] . RISTI . [RUN] This reading was translated by Kavanagh (in O’Kelly 1956, 174) as: LIR ERECTED THIS STONE; M . . . CARVED (THE) RUNES Kavanagh suggested that the inscription probably dates to sometime between 1000 and 1100 AD. An equal-armed cross is pocked onto the surface of the stone above the second word of the inscription. The stone is now in CPM (L286). The internal diameter of the house at floor level is 6.75m. Its corbelled wall features an overhang of .25m, and its internal basal course occurs approximately 1m below that of the exterior. Vertical joints are apparent where the stones were not properly overlapped. The building had a timber-framed roof, with the ends of the radial timbers anchored in six oblique sockets located around the circuit of the wall-face at an average height of 2m above floor level. A lintelled opening is located above doorway, and may have served to relieve its lintels of some of the weight of the super incumbent masonry. Its rear wall contains a small ope that runs through to the outer wall-face of the house, possibly serving as a ventilator. At NW a number of interstices occur at a height of 1.5m and may have facilitated the erection of some wooden furnishing. An oval wall-niche is located in the wall at S, .75m above original ground level. A saddle and a rotary quern were incorporated in the wall during its construction. The floor deposit comprised a black, sticky, carbonised spread containing large quantities of shells and bone. It overlay a large hearth, centrally located, which contained wood ash, shell and bone; an upright slab served as a hearth-back. Abutting the N side of House 6 is a later rectangular building of inferior masonry. It measures 4.5m x 3m internally and its walls stand to a maximum height of 1.15m. They average 1.2m in width, and reach a maximum thickness of 2m on either side of the .75m wide entrance at E. Excavation revealed a floor deposit comprising a layer of refuse which overlay a hearth. Beneath this was the original floor of humus-laden sand, in which post-holes were found at three corners; these presumably held the roof supports. A layer of habitation refuse extended from outside the entrance of this house towards the entrance of the main house. House 6 was intermittently occupied on a temporary basis after its interior became infilled with sand. Two roughly built shelters, one stratigraphically above the other and each associated with midden material, wer

• KE079-031002 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (9-23) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (KE079-031002-), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. Animal Shelters: (24-29) Shelters occur on both sides of Canroe and comprise roughly built low walls, the majority of which are crescentic in plan. They appear to have served as wind-breaks and were probably unroofed. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031004 House - early medieval
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (1) (KE079-031004-) This is O’Kelly’s House 2, and was fully excavated. Located 60m E of House 6, only the foundations of this circular structure, 6.5m in internal diameter, survived. Its wall may have been up to 2m in thickness, but almost all its facing stones were robbed. The .7m wide entrance at SE was marked by two upright jambstones. Excavation revealed the remains of an inner structure which appeared to have been built with the facing stones of House (1), and, therefore, postdates it. The wall of the inner structure was also subsequently robbed of its facing slabs. Its entrance, marked by a few larger slabs, was directly opposite that of House (2). No domestic refuse was recovered from this house, which was interpreted as an animal shelter or an enclosure. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031005 Inscribed stone
  Description

  This stone is inscribed with a Runic inscription. It was read as LIR. RISTI. STIN. ThINA + [MUNUIKL] RISTI. [RUN] which was translated by Kavanagh (in O'Kelly 1956, 174) as: LIR ERECTED THIS STONE; M … CARVED (THE) RUNES. Kavanagh suggested that the inscription probably dates to sometime between 1000 and 1100 AD. An equal-armed cross is pocked onto the surface of the stone above the second word of the inscription (O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 385-7, no. 1132). There is a discussion on this inscribed stone in an article entitled 'A Viking Age Maritime Haven' by J. Sheehan, S. Stummann Hansen and D. O Corráin (2001) in the Journal of Irish Archaeology 10, pp. 101-3. The article cites Johnsen (1968, 220-21), a Norwegian runologist who proposes that the Irish name LIR in the translation more likely reads VERR, an Old Norse name (p. 101). Other suggestions by Barnes, Hagland and Page (1997, 58) agree that the O'Kelly and Kavanagh reading of the inscription, in particular the LIR element, may be flawed and suggest an alternative reading UIR. According to Sheehan, Stummann Hansen and O Corráin, the alternative readings 'must be accepted as being more authoritative than that proposed by O'Kelly and Kavanagh, if only on the grounds that the former individuals [Johnsen; Barnes, Hagland and Page (ibid.)] are specialists in runes'. This inscribed stone is now in Cork Public Museum - registered no. L286 (See CO074-173----). (O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 385-7, no. 1132; Barnes, Ragnar Hagland and Page 1997, 56-9; Sheehan et al. 2001, 93-119) Compiled by: Sheila Ronan Date of upload: 15 January 2013

• KE079-031007 House - early medieval
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (2-5) These are O'Kelly's Houses 3 (KE079-031007-), 4 (KE079-031008-), 5 (KE079-031009-) and 8 (KE079-031010-), and were marked only by the remnants of their foundation courses, which were robbed in antiquity. Two are located close to the E shore, one occurs close to the summit of Canroe, and the fourth is on the lower W side of it. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031008 House - early medieval
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (2-5) These are O'Kelly's Houses 3 (KE079-031007-), 4 (KE079-031008-), 5 (KE079-031009-) and 8 (KE079-031010-), and were marked only by the remnants of their foundation courses, which were robbed in antiquity. Two are located close to the E shore, one occurs close to the summit of Canroe, and the fourth is on the lower W side of it. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031009 House - early medieval
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (2-5) These are O'Kelly's Houses 3 (KE079-031007-), 4 (KE079-031008-), 5 (KE079-031009-) and 8 (KE079-031010-), and were marked only by the remnants of their foundation courses, which were robbed in antiquity. Two are located close to the E shore, one occurs close to the summit of Canroe, and the fourth is on the lower W side of it. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031010 House - early medieval
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (2-5) These are O'Kelly's Houses 3 (KE079-031007-), 4 (KE079-031008-), 5 (KE079-031009-) and 8 (KE079-031010-), and were marked only by the remnants of their foundation courses, which were robbed in antiquity. Two are located close to the E shore, one occurs close to the summit of Canroe, and the fourth is on the lower W side of it. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031011 House - Viking/Hiberno-Norse
  Description

  National Monument No. 500. Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (6) (KE079-031011-) Located on the E slope of Canroe, this semi-subterranean house, O’Kelly’s House 1, was fully excavated. Prior to excavation it appeared as a large mound of stone, with some facing visible, and with a large deposit of shells and animal bone extending from its E side. Excavation revealed it to be a circular house, 11m in external diameter. Its corbelled wall stood to a maximum height of 3.5m above the original floor level and averaged 1.9m in basal thickness. Though well-built, its finish is rough and uneven with many large interstices. There is a lintelled entrance passage, 2.5m long, with inclining jambs at E; at its inner end it measures .82m in basal width and 1.75m in height, and at its outer end, marked by a threshold slab, it measures 1.15m and 1.95m respectively. Beyond the outer wall-face the open passage, with sides built of boulders, extended for a further 5m. The innermost lintel of the entrance passage bore a Runic inscription on its underside. The initial words of this inscription are fairly well-preserved but its end is almost completely obliterated. It was read as: LIR . RISTI . STIN . ThINA + [MUNUIKL] . RISTI . [RUN] This reading was translated by Kavanagh (in O’Kelly 1956, 174) as: LIR ERECTED THIS STONE; M . . . CARVED (THE) RUNES Kavanagh suggested that the inscription probably dates to sometime between 1000 and 1100 AD. An equal-armed cross is pocked onto the surface of the stone above the second word of the inscription. The stone is now in CPM (L286). The internal diameter of the house at floor level is 6.75m. Its corbelled wall features an overhang of .25m, and its internal basal course occurs approximately 1m below that of the exterior. Vertical joints are apparent where the stones were not properly overlapped. The building had a timber-framed roof, with the ends of the radial timbers anchored in six oblique sockets located around the circuit of the wall-face at an average height of 2m above floor level. A lintelled opening is located above doorway, and may have served to relieve its lintels of some of the weight of the super incumbent masonry. Its rear wall contains a small ope that runs through to the outer wall-face of the house, possibly serving as a ventilator. At NW a number of interstices occur at a height of 1.5m and may have facilitated the erection of some wooden furnishing. An oval wall-niche is located in the wall at S, .75m above original ground level. A saddle and a rotary quern were incorporated in the wall during its construction. The floor deposit comprised a black, sticky, carbonised spread containing large quantities of shells and bone. It overlay a large hearth, centrally located, which contained wood ash, shell and bone; an upright slab served as a hearth-back. Abutting the N side of House 6 is a later rectangular building of inferior masonry. It measures 4.5m x 3m internally and its walls stand to a maximum height of 1.15m. They average 1.2m in width, and reach a maximum thickness of 2m on either side of the .75m wide entrance at E. Excavation revealed a floor deposit comprising a layer of refuse which overlay a hearth. Beneath this was the original floor of humus-laden sand, in which post-holes were found at three corners; these presumably held the roof supports. A layer of habitation refuse extended from outside the entrance of this house towards the entrance of the main house. House 6 was intermittently occupied on a temporary basis after its interior became infilled with sand. Two roughly built shelters, one stratigraphically above the other and each associated with midden material, were excavated. A fragment of an iron knife of post-Norman type is associated with the lower shelter. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031012 House - Viking/Hiberno-Norse
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (7-8) The foundations of two roughly rectangular houses (O'Kelly's Houses 6 (KE079-031012-) and 7 (KE079-031013-)), are located adjacent to one another on the W side of Canroe. A hand-carved stone bowl, probably of Viking type, was discovered in 1959 about 3m NE of House (7) (O'Kelly 1961a, 64-8). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031013 House - Viking/Hiberno-Norse
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Houses: (7-8) The foundations of two roughly rectangular houses (O'Kelly's Houses 6 (KE079-031012-) and 7 (KE079-031013-)), are located adjacent to one another on the W side of Canroe. A hand-carved stone bowl, probably of Viking type, was discovered in 1959 about 3m NE of House (7) (O'Kelly 1961a, 64-8). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031014 House - early medieval
  Description

  For descriptive account see O'Sullivan and Sheehan (1996, 385-7, no. 1132). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011

• KE079-031017 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (10) (KE079-031017-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031018 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (11) (KE079-031018-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031019 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (12) (KE079-031019-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031020 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (13) (KE079-031020-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031021 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (14) (KE079-031021-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031022 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (15) (KE079-031022-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031023 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (16) (KE079-031023-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031024 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (17) (KE079-031024-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031025 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (18) (KE079-031025-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031026 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (19) (KE079-031026-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031027 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (20) (KE079-031027-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031028 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117----) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). Cairns: (21) (KE079-031028-) Fourteen of the fifteen cairns on Canroe occur on its E side, and one is located close to the houses on its W side. The cairns are composed of small stones and may be the result of field clearance activities. One well-preserved example (9), located 55m NE of House 6, was completely excavated. It measured 3.5m in diameter and .5m high, but no finds were recovered. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-031029 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  For descriptive account see O'Sullivan and Sheehan (1996, 385-7, no. 1132 (22)). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011

• KE079-031030 Cairn - clearance cairn
  Description

  For descriptive account see O'Sullivan and Sheehan (1996, 385-7, no. 1132 (23)). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011

• KE079-056 Children's burial ground
  Description

  Children's Burial Ground (KE079-056----): Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. It rises gradually from the more fertile SE portion to cliffs at its NW end. This small ecclesiastical site is located about 200m NW of Cruppaun Point, on the S shore of the island, some 900m SW of the settlement complex excavated by O'Kelly (1132). It comprises the remains of a small oratory, a hut, and a low rectangular enclosure which contains a leacht and a cross-slab. The burial ground is depicted on the second edition of the OS map as an L-shaped area, located at the N end of a field which is open to the sea at S. There is no apparent trace of an enclosure around the site. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 932. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013

• KE079-056001 Church
  Description

  Oratory (KE079-056001-): This rectangular drystone oratory is located close to the modern field boundary at E and is orientated ENE-WSW. It measures 4.6m x 2.7m internally and its outline is partially obscured by a build-up of collapsed material. The walls, 1.4m wide, are constructed of coursed masonry that encloses a rubble core. Thinner slabs are employed in the construction of the inner wall-face. Traces of an offset are visible on the external face at N, and the external angles of the building are slightly rounded. No clearly defined entrance is apparent, though the rubble is less concentrated for a short distance at W. Up to ten uninscribed upright slabs are located in the W half of its interior, and these presumably relate to the site's use as a ceallúnach. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 932. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013

• KE079-056002 Hut site
  Description

  Hut (KE079-056002-): Located in the raised W corner of the field are the semicircular foundations of a probable hut site which measures 2m in internal diameter. Its stone bank is 1.9m wide. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 932. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013

• KE079-056003 Enclosure
  Description

  Rectangular Enclosure (KE079-056003-): This enclosure is located directly W of the oratory and measures 15m x 12.2m in overall dimensions. Short intermittent stretches of facing of rough drystone masonry survive internally and maximum height of .4m at N. A band of stone collapse marks its S side and a gap at E may represent an original entrance feature. A small rectangular stony mound outside the NW corner of the enclosure may mark a grave of relatively recent origin. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 932. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013

• KE079-056004 Leacht
  Description

  Leacht (KE079-056004-): A low mound of subrectangular plan is located within the rectangular enclosure and measures 5.4m N-S 3.9m E-W. It averages .4m high and traces of rough drystone facing are visible at intervals along its base. It is constructed of earth and stone and includes a number of quartz blocks and pebbles. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 932. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013

• KE079-056005 Cross-slab
  Description

  Cross-slab (KE079-056005-): This slab is located just SE of the leacht and inclines heavily to SW. It measures .95m long, .32m wide at the top and is .07m thick. The SW face bears an encircled linear cross whose outline has been damaged by spalling. The shaft of the cross extends beyond the circle, curves slightly, and merges with a natural fissure. The NE face of the slab features a second, encircled, linear cross. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 932. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013

• KE079-057 Enclosure
  Description

  A series of four shallow circular depressions is located on the SE edge of Beginish Island, midway between Cruppaunroe and Canroe, just below the last modern field boundary. Two depressions at N occur 2.4m apart and a further two, located 12m to S, are set 6m apart. (1) KE079-057----; The depression at NW measures 3.75m N-S x 3.4m E-W in diameter and its flat-bottomed interior occurs .3m below surrounding ground level. It is the best preserved of the four features. (2) KE079-057001-; The NE depression measures 3.3m N-S x 3.2m E-W and its flat-bottomed interior occurs .24m below surrounding ground level. Its E side is defined by a low bank, which averages .65m wide and .2m in external height. (3) KE079-057002-; The SE depression is poorly defined and has an overall diameter of 2.9m. Its interior is largely filled with beach stones. (4) KE079-057003-; The SW depression measures 3m N-S x 3.2m E-W in diameter and its saucer-shaped interior is .25m below surrounding ground level. Remnants of a possible bank occur along its S edge. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1478. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 1 August 2013

• KE079-057001 Enclosure
  Description

  A series of four shallow circular depressions is located on the SE edge of Beginish Island, midway between Cruppaunroe and Canroe, just below the last modern field boundary. Two depressions at N occur 2.4m apart and a further two, located 12m to S, are set 6m apart. (2) KE079-057001-; The NE depression measures 3.3m N-S x 3.2m E-W and its flat-bottomed interior occurs .24m below surrounding ground level. Its E side is defined by a low bank, which averages .65m wide and .2m in external height. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1478. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 1 August 2013

• KE079-057002 Enclosure
  Description

  A series of four shallow circular depressions is located on the SE edge of Beginish Island, midway between Cruppaunroe and Canroe, just below the last modern field boundary. Two depressions at N occur 2.4m apart and a further two, located 12m to S, are set 6m apart. (3) KE079-057002-; The SE depression is poorly defined and has an overall diameter of 2.9m. Its interior is largely filled with beach stones. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1478. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 1 August 2013

• KE079-057003 Enclosure
  Description

  A series of four shallow circular depressions is located on the SE edge of Beginish Island, midway between Cruppaunroe and Canroe, just below the last modern field boundary. Two depressions at N occur 2.4m apart and a further two, located 12m to S, are set 6m apart. (4) KE079-057003-; The SW depression measures 3m N-S x 3.2m E-W in diameter and its saucer-shaped interior is .25m below surrounding ground level. Remnants of a possible bank occur along its S edge. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1478. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 1 August 2013

• KE079-117 Metalworking site
  Description

  Beginish Island lies between Valencia Island and the mainland at the N end of Valencia Harbour. Its E end comprises a narrow splayed projection terminating in a curving sand-bar at its SE tip, which, at certain low tides, is connected with the nearby Church Island (KE079-032001-). The highest point at this end of the island is known as Canroe, and a settlement complex located here extends from its western side over its summit and down to the rocky shoreline at E. The complex comprises eight houses, fifteen cairns, eight animal shelters and two poorly constructed structures, all of which lie within an extensive network of fields and walls. An iron smelting site (KE079-117---- / KE079-031006-) occurs at its W end. The complex was investigated by O’Kelly in the early 1950s and two houses, a cairn and an animal shelter were fully excavated. The following description of the site is based on the report of these excavations (O’Kelly 1956, 159-94). The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1132. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 31 July 2013

• KE079-117001 Metalworking site
  Description

  Recent erosion at (KE079-117----) has exposed an irregular, blackened, stony spread, 5m x 2.9m, which contains a large quantity of iron slag, vitreous clay and bone fragments. A sample of tuyére fragments and scraps of sheet iron from this spread are now in the NMI (1988: 228; 1989:5a-f; 1989:6a-c). A second area (KE079-117001-), 17m to SE, contains some large lumps of iron slag and could represent another smelting site. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1460. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 1 August 2013

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Beginish.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

At the centre of the townland of Beginish, about 1 in 5 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as high, moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Beginish.

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Beginish with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Kerry.

Name

Beginish · Beiginis

Area

987,616 m² (98.76 ha, 244.05 acres)

Civil parish

Caher, and its townlands

Barony

Iveragh

Electoral division

Castlequin, the unit of the census

Census 2022

583 people lived in 225 households in the Castlequin electoral division. 92% of households owned their home. 36% of homes were built since 2001. 12% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 22% were holiday homes.

Placenames

Beginish on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address. Old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.