Hut site, Baile An Bhúlaeraigh Thuaidh, Co. Kerry

Co. Kerry |

Settlement Sites

Hut site, Baile An Bhúlaeraigh Thuaidh, Co. Kerry

On the rocky uplands of Baile An Bhúlaeraigh Thuaidh on the Dingle Peninsula, a small stone structure sits in a landscape that seems to resist habitation.

It is not a ruin in the conventional sense, more a survival, the remains of a roughly circular drystone hut built using a corbelled technique, where courses of unmortared stone are laid so that each projects slightly inward over the one below, eventually closing into a roof without any timber or keystone. The interior diameter is around 3.75 metres, the walls survive to a height of 2.2 metres, and at their base they are approximately 1.6 metres thick. Two possible wall niches are visible, the kind of recesses that might once have held a lamp, a small vessel, or some other domestic object.

The structure was recorded as part of J. Cuppage's 1986 archaeological survey of the Corca Dhuibhne region, a survey that documented the extraordinary concentration of early remains across the Dingle Peninsula. Corbelled huts of this type are associated with early medieval Ireland, when small stone cells and shelters were built by hermits, farmers, or seasonal workers in remote terrain. The presence of roughly-constructed sheep-folds close by suggests this particular corner of ground has been used across multiple periods, the hut and the folds together pointing to a long, if sparse, human relationship with land that is difficult to work and easy to overlook.

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, Baile An Bhúlaeraigh 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