Type: Ogham
Townland: Cill MaoilchéadairMaoilchéadair's Church
The site is traditionally associated with St. Brendan but was reputedly founded by Maolcethair whose death is recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal under the year 636 -'Maolcethair, son of Ronan, son of the King of Uladh, of Cill Melchedair, near the shore of the sea, to the west of Brandon Hill'.
This gravestone is to be found in the graveyard of the Early Christian and Medieval ecclesiastical complex at Kilmalkedar ( KE042-026----), which lies at the foot of the W slopes of Reenconnell hill, overlooking Smerwick Harbour.
The Reenconnell ridge peaks at 907 feet/276m to NE of the site and the area around Kilmalkedar is sheltered on its N and S sides by spurs of this hill.
There is no trace of an original enclosing element and the various components of the site are spread over an area of about 10 acres.
The main nucleus of the site is bounded to N by a SW flowing stream, to W by the main road, and to E and S by laneways; the rectangular graveyard and church are at the centre of this area and the village of Kilmalkedar lies directly S of these.
This small upright stone is inscribed on its E face with the letters R.I. and an equal-armed cross with expanded terminals.
ReferencesThe above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 855.
Site recorded by:Helene Brennan