Church

The National Monuments Service's description

In a rectangular graveyard (GA009D014002-) at E end of Inish­bofin. Reputed site of St Colman's E. Chr. monastery. The remains consist of a medieval church (E-W; L 17.7m, Wth 5m) with a shallow arched doorway in S wall. It is lit by four windows in N and S walls, two of which are now robbed, and a large round-headed window in E gable. Corbels at W end indicate the former presence of a loft. The present W gable, containing a ruined doorway, is a later insertion, shortening church by one-third. The curving scarp line to N of church may indicate line of possible early ecclesiastical enclosure (GA009D014003-). The graveyard also contains two holy wells (GA009D014004-, GA009D014005-), a number of cross-slabs (GA009D014006-, GA009D014007-, GA009D014010-, GA009D014011-), two crosses (GA009D014012-, GA009D014013-) and a bullaun (GA009D014008-). (Westropp 1911, 65-7; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 164; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 386; Higgins 1987, ii, 277, 335, 393, 394, 423)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 15 June 2018

References

Higgins, J.G. 1987 The Early Christian cross slabs, pillar stones and related monuments of County Galway, Ireland, 2 vols. British Archaeological Reports, International Series 375. Oxford.

Gwynn, A. and Hadcock, R.N. 1970 (Reprint 1988) Medieval religious houses of Ireland. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.

Westropp, T.J. 1911 Clare Island survey: history and archaeology. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 31, Section 1, Part 2, 1-78.

Killanin, M.M. and Duignan, M.V. 1967 (2nd ed.) The Shell guide to Ireland. London. The Ebury Press.