432 Mr. PETRIE'S Inquiry into the Origin and 



one placed in the east, and the other in the south wall, the heads of which were 

 formed in a single stone. They were two feet three inches in height, and eight 

 inches wide in external measurement, but splayed considerably on the interior. 

 The chancel arch is eight feet ten inches in height to its vertex, and five feet 

 three inches in width. The sacristy measures, internally, ten feet by seven 

 feet nine inches, and is lighted by a round-headed window placed in the east 

 wall, and similar in every respect to those in the chancel. The doorway, which 

 is quadrangular, is five feet in height, and, in width, two feet at the top, and two 

 feet three inches at the bottom. These buildings were, both, stone roofed and of 

 equal height, namely, nine feetto the set-offs of the roofs, and twenty feet to the 

 ridges ; and they were ornamented with a string-course or cornice, similar to, 

 and in imitation of, that on the original building. 



I have described this curious building thus minutely, not only to preserve a 

 record of its original character, but also on account of its very great antiquity, 

 which, as remarked by Colonel Conyngham's artists, is proved no less by its own 

 style and features, than by the very ancient character of those found in the 

 additions subsequently made to it ; and indeed it is highly probable that these 

 additions were made not very long after the erection of the original building. 

 That this building, in its original state, was at once the habitation and oratory of 

 the eminent ecclesiastic to whom the religious establishment of Glendalough 

 owed its origin, I see no reason to doubt ; and it is highly probable that it 

 received, shortly after his death, those additions which were necessary to make 

 it a church, fit for the worship of those who would be led thither from reve- 

 rence to his name ; and in this opinion I am strengthened by a very valuable 

 record in the Annals of the Four Masters, which proves, that this building was 

 known by the appellation of Cro Caoimhghin, or St. Kevin's House, in the 

 middle of the twelfth century. The passage is as follows : 



"A. D. 1163. 5^ eann Da 1-ocha DO lopccab, im Cpo Ciapdin, im Cpo Caoiriijm, ajup 

 an t>a Sinchell." 



" A. D. 1 163. Glendalough was burned, with Cro Ciarain, Cro Caoimhghin, and the church of 

 the two Sinchells." 



These names are, indeed, no longer remembered, the Irish language having 

 ceased to be spoken in the district for the last century; and even the buildings, 

 with the exception of St. Kevin's House, can now scarcely be traced. But, very 



