Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated 10m S of the 'Nunnery' (GA069-001005-). A poorly preserved and much-conserved rectangular building, now a Nat. Mon. According to Harbison (1975, 81), it represents 'the foundations of an early Church which is the oldest on the site, and may be of 11th or 12th century date'. Standing remains consist of a featureless rectangular structure (E-W; L 10m, Wth 3.55m) with two doorways: (a) centrally placed in W gable, and (b) near W end of S wall. The latter leads to a featureless rectangular annexe (L 7.35m, Wth 2.75m) with a rectangular tower-like feature (E-W; L 1.55, Wth 2.75m) at W end; possibly a latrine. This annexe is probably a later addition as suggested by Harbison (ibid.), as it is not bonded into the main wall of the church. Within its interior there is a medieval graveslab (GA069-001008-) and an architectural fragment which appears to be the head of a window. Two cross-slabs (GA069-001009- and GA069-001010-) are also associated.

The monument was taken into Ownership under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 - National Monument 49.

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). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 8 August 2023