The unenclosed site comprises the ruins of a dry-stone oratory, a graveyard, a leacht with stone cross, a possible beehive hut, and a holy well dedicated to St.

[4] The south wall of the oratory featured an inscribed stone with the text: OR DO MAC RUED U DALAC ("A prayer for Mac-Ruaid, grandson of Dálach").

In the early 1970s, the perception of West Kerry Gaeltacht was changing as the region received increased tourist activity following the movie Ryan's Daughter.

[10][11] In 1974, Inishvickillane was purchased by Charles J Haughey, a former Irish senior government minister who was lingering in the backbenches since being sacked on foot of the Arms Crisis.

[12]The purchase generated much media attention at the time,[13] creating much discussion about Haughey's own wealth, business instincts (as land in the area was rising in value) as well as his interest in the heritage of the Gaeltacht.

In 1989 while Taoiseach, Haughey introduced legislation to turn the Blasket Islands into a national park, including powers of compulsory purchase order.