Gallarus Oratory

About this place

The Gallarus Oratory (Irish: Séipéilín Ghallarais) is an oratory on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland. It has been presented variously as an early-Christian stone church by antiquary Charles Smith, in 1756; a 12th-century Romanesque church by archaeologist Peter Harbison in 1970; a shelter for pilgrims by the same in 1994. The local tradition prevalent at the time of Charles Smith attributed it to one Griffith More, being a funerary chapel built by him or his family at their burial place. The oratory overlooks the harbour at Ard na Caithne (formerly also called Smerwick) on the Dingle Peninsula. Saints road (Cosán na Naomh), an old pilgrimage road less than 300 metres away, leads to the summit of Mount Brandon, which can be seen in the background of the oratory.

Visitor Information

Heritage status

Protected Heritage Site

Getting There & Parking

Gallarus Oratory is located in County Kerry, roughly 76 km (1h 05m drive) from Killarney and 390 km (5h 45m) from Dublin. The nearest public car park is 161 m away (Free). Nearby highlights within a short drive include Gallarus Castle (0.6 km away).