Maumanorig facts for kids
| Mám an Óraigh · Cill na gColmán | |
 Location in Ireland
|
|
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Established | 6th century AD |
| Diocese | Ardfert and Aghadoe |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Celtic |
| Site | |
| Location | Maumanorig, Ventry, County Kerry |
| Coordinates | 52°08′38″N 10°21′31″W / 52.143812°N 10.358648°W |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Maumanorig Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site |
| Reference no. | 221.02 |
Maumanorig or Kilcolman is the site of an ancient Christian monastery in County Kerry, Ireland. It's also a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical place protected by the country. This special site is found on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula.
Contents
Where is Maumanorig?
Maumanorig is located about 1.2 kilometers (or three-quarters of a mile) north of a village called Ventry. The site itself covers a small area, about 0.184 hectares. That's roughly the size of a small park!
What's the History of Maumanorig?
The name "Maumanorig" comes from the Irish language. It can mean "hill-top of the yellow stones" or "mountain pass of the Hoares." This gives us a clue about the landscape around the monastery.
This ancient site might have been a starting point for pilgrims. Pilgrims are people who travel to a holy place for religious reasons. From here, they might have begun their journeys to famous spots like Skellig Michael or Mount Brandon.
What Can You See at Maumanorig?
Maumanorig is an old circular enclosure. An enclosure is like a fenced-off area, often used for protection or to mark a special space. Inside this enclosure, you can find several interesting things:
- The remains of a church.
- Two places where huts used to stand.
- Several old grave markers.
The Ogham Stone
One of the most exciting finds at Maumanorig is a special stone called an ogham stone. It stands about 115 centimeters (3 feet 9 inches) tall. This stone has unique carvings on it.
- The carvings are called Ogham, which is an ancient Irish alphabet.
- The inscription on the stone says: "ANM COLMAN ALITHIR."
- This means "in the name of Colmán, the pilgrim."
This stone might be a memorial to a person named Colmán Oilither. He was a pilgrim who lived a very long time ago, around the years 565 to 572 AD.
Other Stones
Besides the Ogham stone, there are other interesting stones at the site:
- A small stone with a cross carved into it.
- A "holed stone," which is a stone with a hole through it.
- Three "bullaun stones." These are stones with bowl-shaped hollows, often used for grinding or other purposes in ancient times.
