Description of the attraction
The Gallarus Oratorio is an ancient oratorio on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, discovered in 1756, but no reliable record of when it was built has been found to this day. Historians suggest that the oratorio was built approximately in the 6-9th century AD. However, some architectural features, including the shape of a single window located on the east side, suggested that the oratorio was built much later, possibly in the 12th century. There are disagreements about the purpose of this structure, although most researchers still agree that it served as a Christian temple.
The oratorio is a fairly simple structure, built of local stone - ancient red sandstone, distinguished by its special strength. Visually, the oratorio resembles an inverted ship hull. This comparison is due to the fact that the structure has a rectangular base (8 m - length, 5 m - width) and inclined side walls, "tending" to each other and thereby forming the roof of the building. It is believed that no bonding mortar was used during the construction, but from some of the particles that have survived to this day, it can almost certainly be assumed that this role was played to some extent by the lime mortar with which the outer and inner walls of the oratorio were lined. The height of the oratorio is approximately 8 m. The entrance to the oratorio (opening, about 2 m high) is located on the west side.
There is a parking lot and a visitor center near the Gallarus Oratorio, where you can watch an entertaining 15-minute audiovisual presentation. You will also find a small souvenir shop here.
The Gallarus Oratorio is designated a National Monument of Ireland and is protected by the state.
