St. Cavans Church — Inis Oírr

Within a modern graveyard (GA120-007003-) in sand dunes close to NE shore of island. This Nat. Mon., known locally as Teampall Chaomháin, is a well-preserved nave and chancel church with a later sacristy at W end. The nave (E-W; L 6.65m, Wth 5.07m ext.) is E. Chr. with a trabeate doorway in W gable which now leads to the medieval sacristy (L 3.49m, Wth 3.36m ext.). The latter has a doorway with a pointed arch and a triangular-headed window in S wall. The chancel (L 4.22m, Wth 4.36m ext.) has a pointed arch with a transitional E window and altar below. Due to the build-up of the dune system around the church, it is now below the present ground level. The sand has been cleared away from the area immediately outside it and the sand banks have been shored and revetted to prevent further inundation. The saint's grave (GA120-007004-), just to NE, is almost buried in sand but contains a cross-slab (GA120-007007-) (Higgins 1987, vol. II, 364, no. 86). There is a midden (GA120-007002-) and a possible clochan (GA120-007006-) in the vicinity. (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 223-5, 417-18; Westropp 1895, 272-4; Leask 1955, Vol. 1, 73-4) 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: 25 January 2016 This monument was taken into Ownership under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 - National Monument 41.