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System
of Construction: The Corbelled Buidings | Irish Architecture
in the Early Middle Adges: c. 500–1200 AD
Professor Roger Stalley
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Dry-stone
beehive huts or clocháns, used as domestic dwellings
by monks, are found predominantly along the south-west coast,
where they were used as living accommodation in many of the
exposed hermitages and Christian settlements. The corbelled
method of construction has a long history, from prehistoric
tombs to twentieth century farm buildings. No mortar is used
and as each stone is placed in the circular wall, it is made
to project slightly inward over the stone below, forming a
pointed dome. Such methods are encountered in various parts
of Europe and are not unique to Ireland; there are particular
concentrations in Provence and Apulia. The best collection
of clocháns can be seen on Skellig Michael, perched
on terraces almost 200 metres above the Atlantic waves. There
were originally six huts, five of which survive. Entered through
doorways with stone lintels and inclined jambs, they are surprisingly
spacious inside: some are over 5 metres in height, sufficient
for an intermediate floor. The clocháns at Skellig
are difficult to date, but they probably existed in 823 when
the rock was plundered by the Vikings.
Ieland,
Skellig Michael, Clocháns (beehive huts) |
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Ireland,
Skellig Michael, Clocháns (beehive huts)
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Ireland,
Gallarus, Oratory, Exterior view |
A rectangular version of the clochán, the boat-shaped
oratory, was developed to serve as a Christian oratory. There
were two such oratories on Skellig Michael, and the remains
of at least thirty of them have been identified along the west
and south-west coasts. In structural terms the boat-shaped oratory
is not as sound as a clochán, for if the building reaches
any size there is a tendency for the roof to sag midway along
its length. The oratories on Skellig were rather loosely constructed,
but the most famous example, Gallarus oratory near Kilmalkedar
in County Kerry, has masonry impeccably fitted together. Measuring
4.65 by 3.10 metres (internally), it is entered at the west
end through a lintelled doorway. There is a small round-headed
window in the opposite wall. The craftsmanship is so accomplished
that it is tempting to regard Gallarus as the culmination of
a tradition that was already several centuries old.
briefing
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