SE face of an C8th sundial in the old cemetery at St Maolcethair's Church, Kilmalkedar, Co Kerry, Republic of Ireland, with a gnomon hole & time lines
SE face of an C8th sundial in the old cemetery at St Maolcethair's Church, Kilmalkedar, Co Kerry, Republic of Ireland. A gnomon (indicator) projecting from the circular hole would cast a moving shadow across the semicircular face. Grooves, & possibly painted lines, marked key points in the monastic day such as the times for mass & canonical prayers. Grooves radiating from the gnomon hole end in half-moons, the two vertical lines on the shaft in rectangular spirals. The reverse (NW) face is decorated with intersecting semicircles: a cross of arcs considered to be a symbol of pilgrimage. Pilgrims would assemble here before taking the Saint's Road to the summit of Brandon Mountain. Kilmalkedar is a monastic complex founded in the C6th, associated with Early Christian saints Brendan & Maolcethair. The current Romanesque church was built in the C12th.
Size: 3732px × 4961px
Location: St Maolcethair's Church, Kilmalkedar, Dingle, Co Kerry, Republic of Ireland
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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