What is recorded here

Cloghanleo is an oval ecclesiastical enclosure on Inishshark, reputedly tied to St Leo. Its narrow north-east gate and roofless clochan still mark a small worship space where people may have prayed, buried children, or kept the island’s oldest memories safe.

On rock outcrop close to the SE shore of Inishshark. This oval enclosure (17.8m by 13.5m) is reputedly associated with St Leo (O'Flanagan 1927b, Vol. 1, 238). When visited in 1984 it was defined by a drystone wall (Wth 3m) faced on both sides. There was a narrow entrance (Wth 1.2m) at NNE. A roofless subrectangular clochan (GA009D005001-) was visible in the W half of the interior, with possible traces of a possible second one (GA009D005002-), almost gone, in the E half. The enclosure has subsequently been planned and surveyed in detail (see Kuijt et al. 2010, 56-9). It has been suggested that a line of five in situ head or footstones noted during this work, to the N of the possible clochan (GA009D005002-), may be coeval with the enclosure but they may also suggest a secondary use of the enclosure as a burial ground, possibly for children. (Kinahan 1869b) 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. The following image has been uploaded: GA009D005----_01.jpg Entrance to enclosure at NNE with clochan (GA009D005001-) in background. Revised by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 14 July 2016

Cloghanleo is an early-medieval ringfort located on a rock outcrop near the southeast shore of Inishshark. It is associated with local tradition linking it to St Leo, and its drystone construction reflects typical Atlantic seaboard rath-building techniques.

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