Kilnaruane Pillar Stone

This ancient church site is located on the crest of a low hill from which there are magnificent views across Bantry Bay. The townland name probably means Cill na Rómhán, ‘Church of the Romans’, and may refer to a group of monks who adopted the Roman method of calculating Easter in this area some time before AD 630. The church itself is long gone and the main feature at the site is a monument known as the ‘The Bantry Pillar Stone’. This stone is probably the shaft of a high cross, perhaps dating to the 8th or 9th century. On the northwest face is a depiction of St Paul’s visit to St Antony in the Egyptian desert. In the panel above is a cross with squares at its crossing and terminals. Next there is a figure wearing a long robe with his hands raised in prayer. The uppermost panel is decorated with ribbon interlace. The southwest face is dominated by the famous ‘Bantry Boat’. Within the boat is an individual manning the steering oar, four oarsmen and probably two other individuals near the prow. A cross rises from the boat at the stern. The boat itself is probably a skin-covered currach similar to those still in use in Kerry and Galway. Near the high cross shaft are four short stone pillars that once formed the corner-posts of a shrine, which probably marked the grave of the founder of this church or some other individual who was revered as a saint. To access further details and see other monuments in this area click <a href='http://webgis.archaeology.ie/NationalMonuments/FlexViewer/?id=CO118-031003-' target='_blank'>here</a>. Please note that many of these monuments may be on private land and may not be publicly accessible. When setting out to visit monuments please ensure that you wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Access to monuments without Visitor Services may be across uneven ground which may not be suitable for everyone and, in particular, wheelchair users.