Hut site, Na Gleannta Thuaidh, Co. Kerry

Co. Kerry |

Settlement Sites

Hut site, Na Gleannta Thuaidh, Co. Kerry

On the northern glens of the Dingle Peninsula, in the Irish-speaking townland of Na Gleannta Thuaidh in County Kerry, there sits a small oval structure that is, by any architectural measure, a modest thing.

It measures roughly two and a quarter to just over three metres across, stands about one and a half metres high, and its walls vary between less than a metre and just over a metre in thickness. What makes it more interesting than its dimensions suggest is what appears to be embedded within it: the remains of an earlier corbelled structure, incorporated into the later, less careful build. Corbelling is a technique in which stones are laid in overlapping horizontal courses, each projecting slightly inward over the one below, until the walls eventually meet to form a roof without any timber or mortar. Finding a later, poorly-built oval hut that has cannibalised the fabric of an earlier corbelled one implies a sequence of occupation, reuse, and gradual decay that stretches back considerably further than the surviving structure itself.

The site was recorded as part of J. Cuppage's 1986 archaeological survey of the Corca Dhuibhne, or Dingle Peninsula, a region exceptionally dense with early ecclesiastical remains, field systems, and the stone huts known as clocháns that dot its Atlantic-facing slopes. Directly to the north of the oval structure, a mound of stones contains a short section of drystone walling, possibly the remnant of a separate small circular building. Whether these two features were ever used simultaneously, or represent different phases of activity entirely, is not recorded. The overall impression is of a place that was returned to, altered, and eventually abandoned, each phase of use leaving only its most durable traces in stone.

Rated 0 out of 5

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of Pete F
Pete F
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Hut site, Na Gleannta Thuaidh, Co. Kerry. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 100 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Advertisement