Penitential station

The National Monuments Service's description

Close to the td. boundary in level reclaimed pastureland. Named in OS Letters (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 15, 90-91) as 'Leacht Phadruig' and described as 'consisting of two heaps of stones of which the southern one has a small rude fixture, representing an altar ... called Altoir Pharraig [sic]'. Kelly (1901, 384) noted that 'the impression of his knees [are pointed out] in the hollowed stone'. These are presumably synonymous with the 'two spots bare of grass' noted by Killanin and Duignan (1967, 448). The site is now enclosed by a modern hexagonal concrete wall which was built in 1933. It is surmounted by a wrought iron cross at E. There is a stile at W but the densely overgrown interior masks all, and none of the features noted above were located. Probably associated with the early ecclesiastical remains at Kilbenan (see GA029-017004-), 800m to NW. A ringfort (GA029-015----) lies 60m to S.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999).

Date of upload: 05 August 2010