The largest room
Kilmalkedar
The Chancellor's House/ Fothrach an tSainsiléara
This medieval rectangular building was probably home to the Chancellor of the diocese of Ardfert. He was paid with money collected in Kilmalkedar Parish. The house was built on top of boulder foundations and is situated on sloping ground with spectacular views of the Three Sisters and Smerwick Bay. It is 17.6 metres long internally with a dividing wall forming two rooms. The western and largest room was probably the living quarters and the eastern chamber appears to be the kitchen area. Inside the fireplace is a bread oven built into the wall. To the left of the fireplace there is an entrance to the living area, but this is no more than a creep hole. There have been several alterations to the dividing wall over the centuries.
Looking over the outer wall
Path and steps
Bread Oven
The Kitchen area
Situated: From Dingle head west on the R 559 then turn right for Baile na Fheirtearaigh , also the R 559. The Chancellor's House is on your left about 1/2 kilometre before Kilmalkedar Church.
Discovery Map 70: Q 4009 0589. Last visit Sept 2012.
Longitude: 10° 20' 17" W
Latitude: 52° 10' 54" N
Photos: Jim Dempsey and Deb Snelson.
