Reenconnell facts for kids
| Rinn Chonaill | |
 Location in Ireland
|
|
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Diocese | Ardfert and Aghadoe |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Celtic |
| Site | |
| Location | Reenconnell, Kilmalkedar, County Kerry |
| Coordinates | 52°11′07″N 10°18′11″W / 52.185339°N 10.302927°W |
| Visible remains | church |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Reenconnell Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site |
| Reference no. | 221.35 |
Reenconnell is an amazing old Christian site in County Kerry, Ireland. It's also a special National Monument. You can find it on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. This place has a long history, especially linked to a famous saint.
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Where is Reenconnell Located?
Reenconnell is about 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) north-northwest of Dingle. The site is on a hill that stands 274 meters (899 feet) high. From the top, you can look down over the small village of Brandon Creek.
The Story of Reenconnell
Reenconnell is a very old Christian site from the Middle Ages. People say that Saint Brendan stood on this very hill. He looked out at the huge Atlantic Ocean from here. It's believed he decided to sail across it to find a special place called the "Isle of the Blessed." This amazing journey is written about in an old book from the 800s. It's called The Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot. Reenconnell was also part of a path for hikers and pilgrims. They would walk this trail on their way to Mount Brandon.
Exploring the Church and Its Surroundings
Reenconnell has an old church on its grounds. It was first built in the 500s AD by Saint Maolcethair. Later, around the 1100s, it was rebuilt. The new church was made in an Irish Romanesque style. This means it had round arches and strong stone walls. It was designed to look like the chapel on the Rock of Cashel.
The Graveyard and Ancient Stones
Near the church is a graveyard called Calluragh or An Ceallúnach. This part of the graveyard was used for children who had not been baptized. A tall High cross was put up to mark these graves. This cross stands about 1.8 meters (6 feet) high.
You can also find other interesting stones here. Some have Ogham inscriptions. Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet made of lines and notches. There are also several smaller stone crosses. One special stone from the 500s has Latin writing on it.
The Mysterious Rock Spiral
Pilgrims visiting Reenconnell carved a spiral shape into a rock. They did this to celebrate seeing Feothanach in the distance. However, some people think this spiral is even older than the Christian pilgrimages. It might be a symbol from Celtic pagan times. Its true meaning is still a mystery.
