Ballywiheen
National monument, County Kerry, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ballywiheen (Irish: Baile Uí Bhaoithín) is a medieval Christian site and National Monument located on the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland.[3][4][5][6]
Bhaile Uí Bhaoithín[1] · Raingiléis | |
Stone church | |
  Location within Ireland | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Established | 6th century AD |
| Diocese | Ardfert and Aghadoe |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Celtic |
| Site | |
| Location | Ballywiheen, Ballyferriter, County Kerry |
| Coordinates | 52.158792°N 10.40702°W |
| Visible remains | church |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Ballywiheen Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site; Cathair na gCat Cashel & Ogham Stone[2] |
| Reference no. | 221.2425 |
Location
Ballywiheen is located 800 m (half a mile) south of Ballyferriter, on the south side of Croaghmarhin mountain.
History
Description
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Ballywiheen is surrounded by an enclosure 68 m (223 ft) in diameter. In the eastern part are the remains of an early drystone oratory. To the west are two mounds — these mark the location of two leachtaí (stone altars).
There is also a cross slab (decorated with Maltese cross),[11] grave mounds (suggestive of a calluragh burial ground).
There is also a stone cross 123 cm (four feet) in height.[12]
Cathair na gCat
The name Cathair na gCat means "the cat's stone fort" (the "cat" referred to is possibly the "tree cat", i.e. the pine marten.) This is a stone fort (cashel) located immediately south of Ballywiheen Christian site. It contains two stone huts and a possible souterrain.
The Ogham stone (dated to the early 6th century AD)[13] reads TOGITTACC MAQI SAGARET[TOS], "of Toicthech son of Sáraid."[14][15][16]