Inishmurray

Inishmurray, Ireland

Inishmurray may be named after the early saint, Muiredach mac Echdach (fl. early 6th century) of Killala. There are remains of an early Irish monastic settlement. Laisrén (Saint Molaise) Mac Decláin reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century. He was confessor of Saint Columba (Colmcille) after the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne on the mainland nearby.

The island's ecclesiastical settlement was attacked in 795 and again in 807 by the Vikings, and eventually the monks abandoned the island and it remained uninhabited until the first secular settlement, probably in the 12th century.

The enclosure wall is impressive - reaching 4.5 metres in height at its highest point and up to 3 metres thick. The site contains various ecclesiastical buildings including enclosures, a stone-roofed oratory, two churches, a clochán, a large beehive-shaped cell, a holy well and other remains including cross slabs suggesting foreign influences. The whole complex is composed of what is probably local sandstone rubble.

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Inishmurray, Ireland
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Founded: 6th century AD
Category: Religious sites in Ireland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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User Reviews

Peter Power (4 years ago)
Fished Inishmurray for the last 50 years
Nuala Redmond (4 years ago)
Brendan Quinn (6 years ago)
Now a national park, a wild, ancient, beautiful deserted island.
AManchesterUnitedFan10 (7 years ago)
GREAT ISLAND
Henry Ward (7 years ago)
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