Abbey

An early ecclesiastical site identified as Senchell Dumaige where St Patrick founded a church at the mound of Uí Oilealla for Ródán, who had come into Ireland with him (Ó Riain 2011, 537) and probably the site of the parish church of Shankill, listed as Schevrill in the ecclesiastical taxation of Elphin diocese in 1306 (Cal. doc. Ire., vol. 5, 223). Situated towards the S edge of a plateau. John O'Donovan c. 1837 records that a fragment of a church survived here (O'Flanagan 1931, vol. 2, 28). Nothing survives of a church now within a wedge-shaped graveyard (RO016-123002-) (dims 63m E-W; 33m N-S at E to 51m N-S at W) defined by masonry walls and containing 18th-20th century headstones and one burial vault. A bullaun stone (dims 0.59m x 0.5m; H 0.3m) with a single basin (diam. 0.2m; D 0.22m) that is broken at one edge is recorded by M. B. Timoney from the graveyard. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 August 2010

St. Patrick is traditionally credited with founding the early church at Shankill Abbey in the 5th century, dedicating it to Ródán, an associate who came to Ireland with him. The site is of historical significance as part of the early Christian ecclesiastical network in Ireland.