Field Visit
Date 3 August 1928
Event ID 1098227
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1098227
What is generally considered to be the earliest structure on the island is the small, rudely built cell to the west of the Abbey. This, however, is apparently not earlier in date than the 16th century. It is mortar-built throughout, mainly of free-stone rubble, which is roughly coursed and pinned up with oyster shells. It was approached from the south by a lintelled passage, which has been traced for a length of some 13 or 14 feet. The cell lies east and west and is not quite rectangular, being wider at the eastern end, where also the angles are obtuse. Internally it measures, on the average, 16 feet by 5 feet 6 inches. The walls vary from 2 feet 2 inches 7 to 3 feet 6 inches in thickness. Centred in the east gable is a roughly formed window, measuring 1 foot 1 inch in width and 2 feet 1 inch in height, which is built with (‘upstart’ jambs and with a projecting drip - stone. In the south wall is a small locker 1 foot wide, 1 foot 4 inches deep, and 1 foot 3 inches in height. The entrance, which is at the western end of the same wall, has a corbelled lintel. Along the inside of the west wall is a stone-bench. The roof is formed by a pointed barrel vault, which has, from the outside, a superficial resemblance to the covering of certain early chapels in Ireland. In the 17th century the cell is referred to as the ‘Deid House’ or mortuary.
RCAHMS 1933, visited 3 August 1928.
