What is recorded here

Colmán Eala founded the monastery in the 6th century, and a holy well beside the church marked the sacred heart of Lynally Glebe for centuries. The well was filled in only a few years ago, erasing the exact place where water and prayer met. Its sudden loss turns the old glebe into a hollow chamber, deprived of the living voice that once answered human longing.

Monastery founded here in the 6th century by Colmán Eala who died in 611 (Ó Riain 2011, 203; Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 41). Present remains consist of a multiperiod church (OF016-031001-) originally of pre-Romanesque date with later 15th and 17th-century additions, graveyard (OF016-031002-) and possible early Christian enclosure (OF016-031007-) which survives as a crop mark with motte (OF016-032001-) to the S. A holy well located to the SW of the church was filled in several years ago (pers comm. Bernie Moran 18/02/2018). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Bernie Moran Date of revised upload: 19 February 2018

Linked to Saint Colmán Eala, an early Irish monk and founder of a 6th-century monastery at the site, the holy well is associated with traditions of healing and pilgrimage connected to his legacy. Local folklore may connect the well with blessings for health and protection, though specific cures are not recorded.

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