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At a glance

TypeChurch
Date or period mentionedmedieval
Recorded sizeE-W; L 11.5m, W 5.95m
Condition (as surveyed)Gone: no visible trace
StatusNational Monument

What to look for

East window
Holy well nearby

Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.

Can you visit?

No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly

History and description

On a terrace overlooking Port na Mainistreach and N shore of Inis Mór. This Nat.

Full archaeological record 125 words

On a terrace overlooking Port na Mainistreach and N shore of Inis Mór. This Nat. Mon. consists of E. Chr. and medieval remains on the site of St Ciaran's 6th-C monastery. The principal monument is a multi-period church (E-W; L 11.5m, Wth 5.95m) known locally as Teampall Chiaráin. It has a trabeate doorway in W gable, transitional E window, and a pointed-arch doorway in N wall. Closely associated are three ruined buildings (GA111-002009-, GA111-002010-, GA111-002011-), a holy well (GA111-002002-) to WNW, as well as a sundial (GA111-002014-) and a cross-inscribed pillar (GA111-002003-). There are two other pillars (GA111-002006-, GA111-002007-), possibly termon markers, and a CBG (GA111-003001-) in the fields to NE and ENE. (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 364-9; Westropp 1895, 262; Cochrane 1901, 308, 310)

References

This monument was taken into Ownership under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 - National Monument 43.

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 05 August 2010 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

St Kieran

More ancient churches nearby

National Monument

Also recorded nearby

Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.

Poll na bPéistCave · 4.8 km

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Around St Kieran's Church

Other heritage nearby

St. Kieran's Early Medieval Ecclesiastical SiteMonastic site · 0.0 km
Saint Kieran's WellHoly well · 0.1 km
Dún Eochla RingfortRingfort · 1.1 km
The Bullaun of the Four BeautiesHoly well · 2.1 km
Killeany Wedge Tomb OghillMegalithic tomb · 2.3 km
Doonbeg RingfortRingfort · 2.4 km

Recorded within 5 km

11 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
8 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
6 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
3 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
3 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
3 promontory fortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
3 high crossesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
1 castleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
1 caveArchaeological Survey of Ireland

Walks and trails

Árann – Lúb Dún EochlaWalking Trail · 9.0 km · nearest point 0.2 km
Árann – Lúb Cill MhuirbhighWalking Trail · 14.8 km · nearest point 0.3 km
Árann – Lúb an ChorruchWalking Trail · 10.3 km · nearest point 0.6 km

Outdoors, towns and places to stay

Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis MórBeaches · 4.3 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach)Beaches · 13 km · Excellent Quality (2025)

Other attractions nearby

Dive AranNature and Wildlife · 1.8 km
Aran Bike HireNature and Wildlife · 1.9 km
Aran Sea Tours and FishingNature and Wildlife · 2.0 km
Dún Dúchathair (The Black Fort)Historic Houses and Castle · 3.0 km

St Kieran's Church