Skreen

There is another archaeological complex to the east of Tara on the Hill of Skreen (ME032-047). This, by contrast, is largely medieval in date and contains a motte, church, holy well (ME032-050), and other broadly contemporary monuments, although there are also several possible barrows and other enclosures in the vicinity.

Textual description below
Extract of 1st edition Ordnance Survey map (Sheet 32) showing archaeological monuments in and around Skreen village, including St. Columbkille's Well, Skreen Church, Cross, Chapel and Skreen Castle. A ringfort (labelled 'fort' on the map) is also depicted, to the south/south-west of the castle. (Map reproduced by courtesy of the Board of Trinity College Dublin.)

 

View of the church on the Hill of Skreen from the north-east. The east wall of the church and the roof do not survive. The late medieval stone cross can be seen in the graveyard on the far right-hand side of the photo.
View of the church on the Hill of Skreen from the north-east. The east wall of the church and the roof do not survive. The late medieval stone cross can be seen in the graveyard on the far right-hand side of the photo.

In AD 875 the shrine and relics of Saint Colmcille were brought for safe keeping to a monastery at this site. Originally known as Achall, the present name Skreen derives from Scrín Choluim Chille - Colmcille's Shrine. The monastery was plundered several times between the late 10th and 12th centuries, and the shrine itself was robbed in 1027 but was later recovered.

The present church may date from the 15th century. It has two sections, as had many churches of the time - a nave where the congregation sat and a chancel where the altar was placed. There is a massive tower at its west end. Built into the wall above the south door of the church is a miniature carving of a bishop, probably 14th century, while inside the tower are fragments of a baptismal font and a tomb slab. To the north-east of the church is a late medieval stone cross with a Crucifixion carved on its west face.


Tower at west end of church, looking east/south-east.
Tower at west end of church, looking east/south-east.
Miniature carving of a bishop, probably 14th century in date, built into the wall above the south door of the church.
Miniature carving of a bishop, probably 14th century in date, built into the wall above the south door of the church.
Remains of a stone baptismal font located inside the tower of the church. The fragments of the font are held together with narrow steel braces. The remains of a tomb slab can be seen to the right of the font, propped against the rear wall.
Remains of a stone baptismal font located inside the tower of the church. The fragments of the font are held together with narrow steel braces. The remains of a tomb slab can be seen to the right of the font, propped against the rear wall.
Close-up of the remains of a stone tomb slab located inside the tower of the church. The slab has been decorated with the carving of a crucifix.
Close-up of the remains of a stone tomb slab located inside the tower of the church. The slab has been decorated with the carving of a crucifix..
West face of late medieval stone cross, with carving of a Crucifixion.
West face of late medieval stone cross, with carving of a Crucifixion.
Undecorated east face of late medieval stone cross, with church in background.
Undecorated east face of late medieval stone cross, with church in background.

The earliest monument at Skreen is probably the barrow (MEO32:038) which was partly excavated in 1953, and more recently by Hickey, and which has produced a small amount of cremated bone. There is another small enclosure to the north of this barrow, possibly an embanked ringditch (MEO32:037), and a mound at the southern end of the hill at Collierstown (MEO32:039). There is a mound or barrow (MEO32:032) at Skreen at the foot of the western slope of the hill overlooking the proposed route and a field system (MEO32:026) further to the north on the same hill slope.

Extract of RMP Map (Sheet 32) showing recorded monuments in and around Skreen village. Each recorded monument is given a unique number, which is indicated on the map. The monuments are usually referred to in text by their full RMP number.
Extract of RMP Map (Sheet 32) showing recorded monuments in and around Skreen village. Each recorded monument is given a unique number, which is indicated on the map. The monuments are usually referred to in text by their full RMP number.