1. Kilmalkedar Church

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Dingle, KY

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Kilmalkedar Church

5.0 (1 review)
Open • Open 24 hours

Kilmalkedar Church Photos

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11 months ago

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Gallarus Oratory - Back of Gallarus Oratory

Gallarus Oratory

4.6(5 reviews)
1.7 km

We parked in the large car park and paid the small fee. It permitted us to see a video about the…read moreoratory (separate building) and then walk through a nice path over to the oratory. The oratory was well over a thousand years old and its construction showed how impressive they built this to withstand the elements. It was completely dry inside even as the rain poured down that afternoon. The oratory was just one of three dry stone constructed churches still standing in Ireland with this stone corbelled roof. Outside to the left rear of the oratory was a marker that shows what is believed to be the name of the person who designed or constructed the oratory.

Gallarus Oratory is one of a handful of old archaeological gems that overlooks the harbor at Ard na…read moreCaithne on the Dingle Peninsula. It is a short hike from the roadside (R559). Apparently there is no true consensus on when it was built and what exactly the function was, but the information given was that it is an Irish church built between the 6th and 9th century. It is made from red sandstone that perfectly overlaps, and the side walls slope like an overturned boat. There is a single door and, across from that, a single window to let light in. I found the architecture to be so impressive, considering the fact that those who built it undoubtedly had rudimentary tools. Adjacent to the oratory is a marked grave, but it isn't clear to whom it belongs. Gallarus Oratory was one of several old/ancient archeological gems we visited while on holiday. It's so interesting that these places still exist and are nicely preserved so that one can appreciate a large scope of Irish history.

Photos
Gallarus Oratory - The name of the person believed to have constructed Gallarus Oratory

The name of the person believed to have constructed Gallarus Oratory

Gallarus Oratory - Front of the oratory

Front of the oratory

Gallarus Oratory - Inside a dry interior

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Inside a dry interior

Gallarus Oratory

Gallarus Oratory

4.1(11 reviews)
1.6 km

Well maintained, quick but interesting stop. Don't enter via the official entrance. Instead go…read morearound and entry via the back for free.

As we were leaving Dingle on what turned out to be a marathon drive to Galway, I convinced Jamie W…read more that we should at least take a peek at the rest of the peninsula before heading northeast. It is a beautiful pastoral area, but what I remembered the most was this landmark from my last visit here 24 years ago and how I could drive right up to it, take a look, and bolt out pretty quickly. This time it wasn't that easy as we had to park in front of a visitors center where we paid €5 to visit it. In an adjacent building, they show a dated seven-minute video which doesn't lend much insight into the building's history. Then we followed a rather lengthy gravel walkway to see the building where a large group of German tourists had already swarmed and gathered for a multitude of photos (photo: http://bit.ly/2p6ZK7v). Once they left, it was much easier to enjoy the simple design of this early Christian church which was built sometime between 600 and 1100 A.D. (photo: http://bit.ly/2oD9qVJ). No one really knows, but everyone says it looks like an upturned boat with a lone window in the back which suggests a certain modernity in its structure (photo: http://bit.ly/2ojbxdW). The space inside is small, just 15 by 10 feet, and there were no artifacts to study. It's considered Ireland's oldest intact building, a tribute to both its design and construction which consisted of carefully stacked rocks with no mortar used. There's a cross marker next to the building with a unique circle-cross pattern (photo: http://bit.ly/2oM7pqQ). And that's it other than the striking view of the harbor at Ard na Caithne which we could see over the hedge wall (photo: http://bit.ly/2oj4ylj). A large group of Chinese tourists were quickly making their way on the walkway, so it was time to go. I can't honestly say this is a must-see stop in Ireland, but if you happen to be tooling on the peninsula, it's at least a bathroom break. I mean at the visitors center.

Photos
Gallarus Oratory
Gallarus Oratory - Looking up at the ceiling from inside

Looking up at the ceiling from inside

Gallarus Oratory - Top of the structure

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Top of the structure

Kilmalkedar Church - churches - Updated October 2026

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