Church in Inishcaltra OR Holy Island

Situated c. 18m WSW of the round tower on Inis Cealtra. An earthen church was excavated here in 1974 (de Paor 2013, 40-41, 58). A rectangular building, rebuilt a number of times on slightly different orientations. The earliest phase of building (5.5m x 4.1m) was orientated exactly the same as St. Brigid’s church (CL029-009006-) and had a trodden clay floor. The walls (T over 2.5m) were defined by rows of wattle- or stake-holes and there was an entrance in the W wall. Close-set wattles appear to have been used as internal reinforcement. Rebuildings altered the orientation, first to almost NE-SW and then closer to E-W. This church, according to de Paor, represents the early phase of the monastery. The church was cut by a medieval house (CL029-009138-). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 9 November 2015

The church on Inishcaltra, also known as Holy Island, was likely founded in the early medieval period, associated with monastic activity on the island. It is thought to have been rebuilt several times, reflecting its ongoing religious significance in the region.