Reask, Early ecclesiastical enclosure in County Kerry, Ireland
Reask is an early monastic enclosure in County Kerry containing ancient structures arranged within an oval stone wall. Various buildings are connected by paved pathways and separated by internal stone divisions.
The site began as an early Christian sanctuary with origins reaching back to the earliest monastic period. Excavations in the 1970s uncovered evidence of organized burial practices that shaped how the enclosure was used over time.
The decorated stone slabs display Greek and Latin crosses with spiral patterns, showing how early Irish monks wove Christian symbols into their sacred spaces. These designs were part of the daily religious life at the site.
The site lies off main roads and is best reached on foot after parking near the nearest village. Good footwear is advisable since the ground is uneven and can become slippery in wet conditions.
The ground contains two pairs of circular huts arranged in a figure-eight pattern and connected by paved walkways. This unusual layout reveals how monks deliberately structured their living spaces for movement and organization.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.