198 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



and yet in all its features it presents characteristics ■whieh -unmistak- 

 ably point to one conclusion, viz., that the structure is neither more 

 nor less than a slightly modified example of our oldest style of cill or 

 church." 



Its form is oblong — 27 feet 7 inches in length by 20 feet 3 inches 

 in breadth, external measurement. The walls average 2 feet 10 

 inches in thickness. Pilasters or extensions of the side walls are 

 found on the eastern and western ends. Similar features are observed 

 in connexion with a considerable number of our oldest churches, 

 such as Teampull McDuagh, in An-anmore, County Galway ; on 

 St. M'Dara's Church in Inis M'Dara, off the coast of Connemara; at 

 Dulane, near Kells, County Meath ; and, indeed, in many other 

 places. "Here they are 2 feet 7 inches wide, and project 1 foot 

 2 inches beyond the gables." 



" A fine flat-headed doorway measuring 7 feet 3 inches in height 

 by 2 feet 8 inches in breadth at the top, and 2 feet 9 inches at the 

 base, occupies a position in the centre of the west end. The lintel 

 in this example is peculiarly massive" (see PI. II., fig. 2). "Above 

 the western gable rises a somewhat clumsily-constructed bell-turret 

 contaioing a single aperture, the head of which is in a rather late 

 pointed form." " It is quite evident that this campanile is a compara- 

 tively late addition." " Its aperture would have been completely 

 covered by the original roof, the pitch of which is indicated by traces 

 of mortar or cement which stUl remain." " A small flat-headed 

 window (see fig. 3, p. 702), placed high on the south side wall, 

 appears to be the only original light to be found in the building." 

 " The structure, indeed, bears evidences of alteration at various dates ,• 

 but the principal change, no doubt, occurred in the second or third 

 year of the nineteenth century, when this curious and mysterious cill 

 was utilized as a dwelling-place by the Government employes 

 engaged in building the ITartello Tower, which was intended to 

 command the Sound of Dalkey, and much of the neighbouring coast. 

 I myself, some thirty years ago \_a7ite 1890], when residing in the 

 vicinity, was well acquainted with a truly ancient mariner named 

 Tom Doyle, who had assisted in the work." "He stated that the 

 church was used as a house by himself and fellows ; and that to make 

 themselves comfortable, and the building suitable for their occasions, 

 they had broken a doorway and window in the southern wall, and 

 constructed the still existing fireplace. He stated further that when 

 disturbing sods or scraws to be used in roofing material, the diggers 

 found human bones apparently of great antiquity." 



