Monasterkieran or Monasterconnaughtagh

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) 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). The following image has been uploaded: GA111-002001-_01.jpg E gable Date of upload: 05 August 2010 This monument was taken into Ownership under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 - National Monument 43.

The church at Monasterkieran or Monasterconnaughtagh was founded in the 6th century by St Ciaran and is dedicated to him; it is associated with early Christian and medieval monastic activity on Inis Mór. The site includes a multi-period church and is of significant historical and religious importance as part of Ireland’s early Christian heritage.