196 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



As regards the island : ' ' There are the ruins of a chui'ch dedicated 

 to St. Benedict; and ' kistvaens,' or stone coffins of rude "svorkmanship 

 and great ^.ntiquity, have been found near the shore." 



D'Alton's "History of the Co. Dublin," 1838, says (p. 882): 

 " "While in the town, are the not uninteresting remains of an ancient 

 church, picturesquely situated at the foot of the Rochesto\m Hills, 

 and presenting a nave fourteen yards long, by five broad, and a choir 

 eight by five, divided by a "well-executed arch." Page 885 : "On the 

 shore, in a little rocky cove, the tourist will find a ready boat to 

 facilitate his pilgrimage to the island, where, surrounded by cliffs and 

 a frequently tempestuous sea, an ancient mariners' chapel was erected 

 and dedicated to St. Eegnet or Benedict." Page 886 : " On it [the 

 island] is a doubtful remain, said to be the patron's church ; but certainly 

 having nothing of the ecclesiastical aspect, unless perhaps a plain 

 gable belfiy ; and wholly disconsecrated, even in the traditions of the 

 people, by its present uses." Page 887: "In 1178 Archbishop 

 O'Toole assigned to Christ Church (amongst several) the church of 

 St. Begnet of Dalkey, with all its tithes ; and his grant was f ui'ther 

 assured by letters-patent from Prince John. In 1200 the Archbishop 

 had a grant of a Wednesday market here [in the town], and an annual 

 fair to be held on St. Begnet's day." 



"The Parliamentary Gazetteer " (1846), speaking of the island, 

 says: "A small old ruin on the island is usually regarded as having 

 been a church dedicated to St. Benedict ; but though j)ossessing a 

 belfry, it exhibits very distinct marks of simple domestic or dwelling- 

 house structure. ' Kistvaens ' enclosing human bones are said to 

 have been found upon the island, and are regarded as vestiges of 

 Celtic or Belgic tribes of a very remote era." 



Mr. P. Ebington Ball, in his "History of the County Dublin," 

 1902, says as regards the churches (p. 79): Dalhey Island. — "The 

 ruined church — for such undoubtedly is the structure on the northern 

 eud of Dalkey Island — is coeval with, and similar in construction to, 

 that of the Kill of the Grange. It has a primitive doorway and 

 window ; and its side walls project upon the end ones, as do those of 

 the Kill Church, forming pilasters." "The belfry is a later addition ; 

 and a fire-place and enlarged doorway and window in the south wall 

 were made by the workmen employed in the construction of the 

 Martello Tower, who used it as their dwelling " (Wakeman's " Primi- 

 tive Churches in the County Dublin," Journal E. Soc. Antiqq. of 

 Ireland, vol. xxi., p. 701 ; see also vol. xxvi., p. 415). "The church 

 [on the island], which is supposed to have been dedicated to St. 



