Riasc Monastic Settlement 
Foundations of a clochan (beehive-shaped monastic hut).
A pair of adjoining clochans.
Another pair of adjoining clochans.
The square oratory, with cross-inscribed stone near the entrance.
The Riasc Stone.
Closer look at the Riasc Stone.
Detail of Riasc Stone, with Latin inscription "DNE."
General view of the site and a pair of clochans.
The Riasc Monastic Settlement or Reask Monastic Site (Mainistir Riaisc) on the Dingle Peninsula is home to the impressive ruins of a 6th-century monastery and important carved stone. The site is off the beaten track with a sign that's easy to miss, but perseverence is rewarded with an interesting and atmospheric site you can wander in peace.
History
The history of the Reask Monastic Site is not well known, but it has been fairly securely dated to the 5th or 6th century (leaning towards the latter).
Excavations have revealed the foundations of an oratory that was first built with wood and later with stone, monastic huts, a kiln for drying corn, and a cemetery. Shards of Roman amphorae (jugs), which were used in the 6th century to transport wine, were also found.
What to See
The Riasc site is highly atmospheric in its stillness and proximity to the sea. It consists of a stone-walled, grassy area alongside a narrow lane, not far from the turnoff to the Gallarus Oratory. There is a small area for parking along the lane.
The enclosing stone wall is round, as are the foundations of six clochans, or monastic huts. When whole, these looked like the beehive huts that can be seen elsewhere on the Dingle Peninsula and on Skellig Michael. Four of these clochans are adjoined in pairs. There is also a single square clochan.
On the eastern side of the site is the monks' main place of worship, a square oratory (small church). Like the huts, this was made of dry-stone walls and a corbelled roof. In front is a small sunken area that may have been a shrine for relics.
Around and under the oratory is an earlier cemetery of 42 graves laid out in two rows. After the site was abandoned, the area around the oratory was used as a children's burial ground.
The Mainistir Riaisc is home to at least 10 cross-inscribed slabs, the most impressive of which is the Reask Stone, which is decorated with spiral designs and carved with the initials DNE, short for the Latin Domine ("Lord").
Quick Facts
| Names: | Riasc Monastic Settlement; Reask Monastery; Mainistir Riaisc; Láthair Mhainistreach an Riaisc |
| Type of site: | Christian monastery |
| Faith: | Celtic Christianity |
| Status: | Ruins |
| Dates: | c.6th century AD |
| Architecture: | Corbeled dry-stone masonry |
| Location: | Along a narrow lane off the R559, about 2km east of Ballyferriter |
| Phone: | None |
| Website: | None |
| Hours: | Always accessible |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the approximate site of the Riasc Monastic Settlement. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Ireland Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Article Sources
- Personal visit (August 30, 2007)
- Informational sign at the site provided by Duchas
- Lonely Planet Ireland, 7th ed. (January 2006), 287.
