Kilmalkedar Church
Kilmalkedar Church
4.5
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4.5
315 reviews
Excellent
198
Very good
96
Average
18
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Jim S
Limerick, Ireland276 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Pretty cool little church ruins located on the road to Dingle. Very easy to access with some parking on site. I spent about 30 minutes taking photos and admiring the architecture of the structure. Great window frames and door frames. No roof. Very good carvings to be seen. Don't miss this one.
Written 26 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaimee G
Urbana, IL452 contributions
Jun 2022
We almost didn't go here, but figured we might as well take a peek since it's not far from the Gallarus Oratory. I'm really glad we did, but because these ruins have a few unique features others do not. There is a very old sundial, Ogham Stone, and stone cross. Our B&B host also told us there is a story that if you squeeze through the needle hole window you will be cleansed. We parked just on the side of the little road that runs by the side of the site.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eeyore_MS
Florida98 contributions
Sept 2022
You'll have to park along the gravel road--we found a wide spot about 50 m up the hill. In front of the ruined church is a half-buried high cross, a sundial, and an ancient ogham stone. Having the guide book provided info and background to interpret the history. There's no signage or any historical info at the site.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dashing_pilot
Seattle, WA80 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This place is an amazing church ruin. Lots of unique examples of 600 construction. Original decorations are still there. The ogham stone and sun dial are unique too. Make the trip if you are in the area.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fáinleog
GUERNSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS6,730 contributions
This 12th century Romanesque church lies beyond Dingle town off the R559, and is not far from Gallarus Oratory. It is well worth visiting both sites if you are in the area.
There is parking for a few cars alongside the church grounds. Note the two-storey building known as St Brendan's House at the top left-hand side of the lane. It is believed that this was probably the priest's house.
The church lies in a ruined state, and has several interesting features inside and within the grounds:
Inside the church, which has a very fine Romanesque doorway, you will find a slender pillar with the alphabet inscribed on one side and an ornate cross on another.
Outside in the grounds are an ogham stone, sundial and large cross.
The ogham stone has the following inscription:
ANM MAILE-INBIR MACI BROCANN, which translates: The Name of Mael Inbir Son of Brocan
Take time to look around and admire the fine carvings on the arches, including a man's head, and flowers, and the antae (the "wing-like" features at the top of each gable end).
There is parking for a few cars alongside the church grounds. Note the two-storey building known as St Brendan's House at the top left-hand side of the lane. It is believed that this was probably the priest's house.
The church lies in a ruined state, and has several interesting features inside and within the grounds:
Inside the church, which has a very fine Romanesque doorway, you will find a slender pillar with the alphabet inscribed on one side and an ornate cross on another.
Outside in the grounds are an ogham stone, sundial and large cross.
The ogham stone has the following inscription:
ANM MAILE-INBIR MACI BROCANN, which translates: The Name of Mael Inbir Son of Brocan
Take time to look around and admire the fine carvings on the arches, including a man's head, and flowers, and the antae (the "wing-like" features at the top of each gable end).
Written 27 June 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UnaMK
Ireland76 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
Cill Mhaoilcéadair or Kilmalkeder in English is an early-Medieval and Christian site about 8km from Dingle in County Kerry.
Set across approximately 10 acres, the site was reputedly founded by St Maolcethair in the seventh century, but is often associated with St Brendan (who according to legend lived there for a time).
This place also holds important memories for me as I’ve one great aunt and two great uncles resting there.
Access to the Romanesque church in the cemetery is through a stunning doorway with a green keystone in the shape of a head.
It’s estimated that the church was probably built in the mid-twelfth century with existing remains from the early Christian period.
Among these is an amazing sundial made of stone, an alphabet stone (which stands at 1.2 metres high, inscribed with the Latin alphabet), a stone cross and bullaun stones (depressions in a stone which is often water filled).
St Brendan’s Oratory was closed to the public when we visited, but you’re able to see it near the church at the top of the road to the left.
Another interesting feature is the Ogham stone with the inscription of “Anm Maile Inbir Maci Brocann”.
Not only is it off the beaten track but there’s a high chance that you’ll be the only person in the area. It also offers great views of Smerwick harbour in the distance.
Set across approximately 10 acres, the site was reputedly founded by St Maolcethair in the seventh century, but is often associated with St Brendan (who according to legend lived there for a time).
This place also holds important memories for me as I’ve one great aunt and two great uncles resting there.
Access to the Romanesque church in the cemetery is through a stunning doorway with a green keystone in the shape of a head.
It’s estimated that the church was probably built in the mid-twelfth century with existing remains from the early Christian period.
Among these is an amazing sundial made of stone, an alphabet stone (which stands at 1.2 metres high, inscribed with the Latin alphabet), a stone cross and bullaun stones (depressions in a stone which is often water filled).
St Brendan’s Oratory was closed to the public when we visited, but you’re able to see it near the church at the top of the road to the left.
Another interesting feature is the Ogham stone with the inscription of “Anm Maile Inbir Maci Brocann”.
Not only is it off the beaten track but there’s a high chance that you’ll be the only person in the area. It also offers great views of Smerwick harbour in the distance.
Written 14 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
Peterborough, Canada33 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
The church and grounds are easy to miss. While there are a couple signs in the area best to get some directions from a local. It's not their fault the views of the Dingle Peninsula are such that you're bound to miss a sign or two.
The church itself is fairly well preserved and the grounds abound with interesting historical remnants. The Ogham stone was the reason for our visit. It is said that if two lovers touch their ring fingers through the hole in the stone. They are married in the eyes of God. My wife and I renewed our vows in the ancient Celtic fashion.
I'll attach a link (not my page) with pictures. There are many things to see here, and if you could easily miss one if you didn't know what you were looking for.
http://www.megalithicireland.com/Kilmalkedar.htm
Cheers from Canada!
The church itself is fairly well preserved and the grounds abound with interesting historical remnants. The Ogham stone was the reason for our visit. It is said that if two lovers touch their ring fingers through the hole in the stone. They are married in the eyes of God. My wife and I renewed our vows in the ancient Celtic fashion.
I'll attach a link (not my page) with pictures. There are many things to see here, and if you could easily miss one if you didn't know what you were looking for.
http://www.megalithicireland.com/Kilmalkedar.htm
Cheers from Canada!
Written 14 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flutterbyfly
Chuckey, TN11 contributions
This church and surrounding graveyard is well worth the visit. A lot of the stones are engraved in gaelic which seems so appropriate in the setting.
There is so much history in such a small, peaceful place. The radial cross, the sun dial, the ogham stone, the view looking out over the cemetery and beyond...I could go on and on.
The afternoon I visited the sun appeared just as I arrived at the church. The small busload of tourists left shortly after I arrived, so I had the place to myself for a while. The peaceful beauty was very restful. I definitely recommend this as a stopping place.
There is so much history in such a small, peaceful place. The radial cross, the sun dial, the ogham stone, the view looking out over the cemetery and beyond...I could go on and on.
The afternoon I visited the sun appeared just as I arrived at the church. The small busload of tourists left shortly after I arrived, so I had the place to myself for a while. The peaceful beauty was very restful. I definitely recommend this as a stopping place.
Written 26 September 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bríd 🐴
Western Ireland, Ireland3,708 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
If you want a good overview of much of Ireland’s history , this is the place !
It’s a very important site . Everything from an Ogham Stone - also a marriage stone , to a sundial to a grave of a man who served in WW1 in the American army .
You will be looking out over Smerwick Harbour, which derives its name from a Viking word.
The main church building has a beautiful but sadly eroded Hiberno-Romanesque doorway , at the entrance . The arch in the middle of the church building shows how lovely the outer one must have been .
There’s a carved “alphabet stone “ that the monks would have used to teach the many students who flocked there to learn .
The narrow window at the rear wall of the building is called “Cró na Snaitheide” or the eye of the needle. Legend has it that those who fit through go to straight to heaven when they die . The younger members of our group all fitted , and we oldies who have fitted in the past thought the trying again might tempt fate !
Go in the late evening if you can. The site doesn’t get too many visitors but it’s even more special when you have it all to yourselves .
It’s a very important site . Everything from an Ogham Stone - also a marriage stone , to a sundial to a grave of a man who served in WW1 in the American army .
You will be looking out over Smerwick Harbour, which derives its name from a Viking word.
The main church building has a beautiful but sadly eroded Hiberno-Romanesque doorway , at the entrance . The arch in the middle of the church building shows how lovely the outer one must have been .
There’s a carved “alphabet stone “ that the monks would have used to teach the many students who flocked there to learn .
The narrow window at the rear wall of the building is called “Cró na Snaitheide” or the eye of the needle. Legend has it that those who fit through go to straight to heaven when they die . The younger members of our group all fitted , and we oldies who have fitted in the past thought the trying again might tempt fate !
Go in the late evening if you can. The site doesn’t get too many visitors but it’s even more special when you have it all to yourselves .
Written 17 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margrietina
Riga, Latvia39 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
The remains of the church itself are well preserved and still offers for a keen eye lots of interesting and beautiful details. When all that has been seen, the surroundings of it is no less interesting (even counting out the little lamb enthusiastically grazing with his mommy on the other side of the graveyard wall).
The sundial, the Ogham stone, the huge stone cross - all of them provided that sense of ancient (and also more recent) history that this place still holds and pretty much keeps alive.
They also have put some basic information at the side of the graveyard and in the church to make more sense of the place and its important objects for those who come with no Google or other tourguide.
The sundial, the Ogham stone, the huge stone cross - all of them provided that sense of ancient (and also more recent) history that this place still holds and pretty much keeps alive.
They also have put some basic information at the side of the graveyard and in the church to make more sense of the place and its important objects for those who come with no Google or other tourguide.
Written 3 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have limited time on the Dingle Peninsular before heading off to Limerick. Did you do the Conor Pass and if so would you recommend us doing this and giving the Kilmalkedar Church a miss or vice versa, that is do the Conor pass in preference?
Written 8 June 2019
I'd do Kilmalkedar Church and drive Connor Pass on the way to your next stop. The Dingle Loop is beautiful...more so than the Ring of Kerry (in my opinion). However, the drive between Killarney and Kenmare was more beautiful to me than Connor Pass. The church is a quick stop to get out and look around. Connor Pass is a drive, so unless you stop by the picnic table and small waterfall on the drive, it's just a drive.
Written 17 June 2019
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