Cell A, Skellig Michael

Description

SMR No.: KE104A001032-

Monument Type: Clochan

 Cell A is the largest and clearly had a communal function. It is particularly imposing and has very thick walls, with several offsets to facilitate construction. The walls, 1.8m thick at the base, are built of small flat stones and there are a number of projecting stones on the outside at the upper level, again a construction feature. The door has a double lintel, inside and out, and the floor retains most of its original paving. The internal space measures 4.6m by 3.8m and the cell is 5m high. It is subrectangular at floor level, evolving into an ovoid shape about 1m above ground level. There are two cupboards and projecting stone pegs (probably used for storage purposes). Uniquely, there are window openings, one of which focuses on the South Peak and another on the Little Skellig.

SKELLIG MICHAEL, CO. KERRY: THE MONASTERY AND SOUTH PEAK, Archaeological stratigraphic report: excavations 1986–2010 Edward Bourke, Alan R. Hayden, Ann Lynch