St. Berrihert’s Kyle

In the Glen of Aherlow is the ecclesiastical enclosure of St. Berrihert’s Kyle. The enclosure comprises of several cross slabs in varying forms, and holds a cillín (a burial site for stillborn and unbaptised babies), which is marked by a series of small upright stones to mark the burial place. The enclosure is oval in shape with an earthen and stone bank.

St. Berrihert was an early medieval English monk who left Northumbria after its King, Oswiu, chose to calculate Easter using the First Ecumenical Council customs of Rome and not with the Celtic practice of monks associated with Iona. St. Berrihert is also associated with Tullylease in Cork where a cross slab bears a prayer for Beirchachtuire.

St. Berrihert’s Kyle, established late 7^th century, is believed to have had up to 72 inscribed stones at one point. The OPW, in recent times, have erected a structure to protect many of these stones and keep them within the enclosure. Of the cross slabs investigated one out of ten is made from grey sandstone the other nine are red sandstone. Of the ten cross slabs only one appears to have no visible decoration, all others depict a Latin cross. The main function of a carved slab stone was in teaching the religion. No remains, above or below ground, of the church have been found.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014