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The Gallarus Oratory (house of prayer) is the most perfectly preserved type of drystone oratory built entirely without mortar. The technique is called corbelling, which is a vault formed by piling rocks in horizontal courses, cantilevered inward until the two walls meet in a pointed arch. The vault is held in place by the weight of the rocks themselves. Although the Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry, is exposed to the fierce winds and rains from the Atlantic Ocean, the interior of the Gallarus Oratory is perfectly dry and silent, a testament to the skills of its builders. | |
Gallarus Oratory
[Drag the mouse over the photograph (or use the right and left cursor keys) to see all sides of Gallarus Oratory. (QuickTime 3 plug-in required.)]
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Oratory Door and Window
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