Above Image: Partly sunken doorway in North wall
A recent trip to the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry revealed a few really interesting sites and among them was this impressive Augustinian abbey nestled on the coast with stunning views.
Ballinskelligs abbey was constructed in 1210AD in order to house the monks of Skellig Island who had abandoned their offshore habitat in favour of a more settled and secure monastery on the mainland. Numerous Viking attacks and increasingly poor weather conditions had sealed their island fate. The new mainland abbey was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel.
Although it appears to have survived the dissolution of abbeys it was occupied only until 1568.
During the 17th century it was given with its lands to Richard Harding of the nearby castle which stands on a promontory into the bay. It is believed the abbey's ruination began after the monks' departure and the chancel collapsed in the early 1840's leaving only the Nave and the Chancel arch and an ancillary building
We visited on a fine summer's day and the views here were spectacular. The abbey is at the end of a long narrow lane adjacent to a very popular beach and although there was a throng of bathers nearby, the abbey did not seem to draw that much attention. It is also separated from beach access by fencing.
The abbey appears to have originally been constructed around an ambulatory, or cloister, as it is also known. Some remnants remain of this.
A pointed bellcote arch is the only remains of the Chancel.
Within the walls a metal table has been set up to display various remnants that had once littered the area of the abbey as it fell into ruin. Ruins of a residential tower, the Prior's house and the refectory are amongst the parts to be seen.
This is a very tranquil spot overlooking the sea and a great place to relax a while away from the business of the world.
As mentioned the abbey came under the ownership of Ballinskelligs castle and following the Harding occupancy became the home of the Sigerson family. The castle was built as a MacCarthy Mor stronghold in the 16th century in order to protect the bay from attack and to tariff the trade vessels that sailed in. Subsequent Sigerson decendants were owners until the end of the 19th century but the castle finally succumbed to ruin thereafter and is now subject to coastal erosion. Works are in progress to save it from future collapse. However it is still accessible from the headland should you wish to venture out.
To find the ruins take the Ring of Kerry N70 route Northwards out of Waterville and drive approx. 12KM until you see a left hand turn signposted for the R566 to Ballinskelligs. Turn onto the R566 and drive approx.10KM until you pass The Ballinskelligs Inn on your left. Approx 600m past the Inn you will come to a crossroads. The turn left takes you to the beach car park for access to the castle but to visit the abbey follow the sign straight on another 500m and take the un-signposted laneway on the left. You will see the abbey on the horizon. You can park up at the entrance gate. I would advise turning your car back facing the way you have come in case someone else parks there making turning difficult.
Castle co-ordinates 51.820828 -10.273095
Abbey Co-ordinates 51.815712 -10.272141
