Ecclesiastical enclosure in Emlaghfad

A monastery at Emlaghfad was founded by St Colmcille in the 6th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 383). According to M. A. Timoney (1995a, 34), 'traces of an enclosure' can be seen in Emlaghfad graveyard (SL033-144002-) to the SE and S of the ruins of the C of I church, 'where there is a change in the ground level, the area around [the church] is higher'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

A ringfort or rath associated with an early-medieval ecclesiastical site linked to St Colmcille's 6th-century foundation at Emlaghfad; traces of an enclosure are noted in the local graveyard. Local tradition and historical references suggest its connection to monastic activity and possible later folklore surrounding holy sites.