Leacht

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Leacht at Glencolmcille, County Donegal, Ireland Gleann Cholm Cille Turas Cholmcille Stad 6 Cairn East Face and View to the Sea 2010 09 24.jpg
Leacht at Glencolmcille, County Donegal, Ireland

A leacht (plural: leachta) is a small square or rectangular stone structure often found in Early Irish Christian places of worship. They are typically made from rough, unmortared stones, and are most often found in monasteries on island off the west coast of Ireland. [1] Their precise function is unknown, they may have been erected to mark burial places (a number contain human remains), or to honor a saint, or for use as an altar or place of prayer. [2]

Because they are so perishable and easily destroyed, their original density and distribution is unknown. The best known examples are found on the islands of Skellig Michael and Illauntannig, both off County Kerry, and Inishmurray off County Sligo. [1]

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Finan Cam, Abbot of Kinnity was an early Irish saint associated with County Kerry, Ireland, who lived in the 6th century AD, and possibly the 7th century. To distinguish him from other saints of the same name the appellation of Cam or "crooked" has been given to him, either because he was stooped or because he had a squint. His feast day is 7 April.

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Saint Suibne, also recorded in the Martyrology of Tallaght as "Suibni in Scelig", was an Irish monk associated with the island of Skellig Michael off County Kerry in Ireland.

References

  1. 1 2 Horn et al, p. 42
  2. "Skellig Michael, The Monastery". Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Retrieved 22 December 2018

Sources