Church in ruins

Located at the SE end of Cruach na Cara/St Macdara’s Island. This early Christian church (E-W; L 4.47m, Wth 3.43m), a restored National Monument, was founded by St Sinach Mac Dara (Bigger 1896, 102). There is a trabeate doorway in the W wall, a round-headed window in the E wall and a flat-headed one in the S wall. Projecting antae on the E and W walls continue up the gable to the apex of the roof, which is composed of stone flags. The decorated finial is a reproduction of the original found in 1884 (ibid., 108) but now missing (Higgins, 1987, ii, 397-8, no. 117). Beside the E gable is a rectangular area (1.8m by 0.82m), defined by boulders and a slab, said to be the saint's bed (GA076-020020-); no trace survives of the flanking walls, to the N and S, as shown on Bigger's plan (1896, 104) and on the sketch in the OS Letters (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 135-6). A number of associated leachta (GA076-020003-, GA076-020004-, GA076-020006-, GA076-020010-, GA076-020020-), cross-slabs (GA076-020007-, GA076-020008-, GA076-020009-) and clochans (GA076-020011-, GA076-020012-, GA076-020013-) are visible in this part of the island, and a number of crosses (GA076-020016-, GA076-020018-, GA076-020022-, GA076-020024-, GA076-020025-, GA076-020028-) have also been recorded. (Kinahan 1868b 89-90; Leask 1955, 29, 45-6, 51) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 11 June 2018 This monument was taken into Guardianship under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 - National Monument 242.

St Sinach Mac Dara founded the early Christian church at Cruach Na Cara in the 7th century; it is oriented east-west and is dedicated to St Macdara, reflecting the influence of early Irish monastic tradition. The site, now in ruins, is a restored National Monument and holds local historical and religious significance.