Site of Macduaghs Tomb

Part of the monastic complex at Kilmacduagh. From the details recorded by O’Donovan and Petrie in the OS Letters (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 2, 163, 189 and facing p. 65), there appears to be some confusion as to whether ‘Macudagh’s Chapel’ (GA128-034005-) and ‘Macduagh’s Tomb’ are one and the same site or are two separate sites as indicated on the OS 6-inch maps. O’Donovan (ibid. 163) notes that ‘Temple Mac Duach’ was situated ‘a short distance to the north of the Round Tower [GA128-034008-] and to the S.W. of the Cathedral [GA128-034004-]’. It had been destroyed but there were still ‘old men living’ who remembered to ‘have seen parts of it standing’ and apparently it was ‘but a small building’. O’Donovan (ibid., facing p. 65) annotated it no. 7 on his accompanying map of the site. Petrie (ibid. 188-9) claims he was one of the ‘old men who saw the whole foundation of it’ and states that he sketched and measured it. Its ‘length was 10ft 2ins [3.1m] and its breadth 5ft 2ins [1.5m]’. He was told it was the ‘tomb of Mac Duach’ and notes that it appears to have occupied the site indicated by O’Donovan as being that of the church or ‘at least was very near it’ (ibid.). No visible surface trace survives. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 24 October 2016 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/2009).

Linked to St. Duag, an early Irish monk and founder of the Kilmacduagh monastic settlement, the site is traditionally associated with healing rituals and pilgrimages. Local folklore suggests that the waters of the nearby holy well were believed to cure eye ailments and other afflictions.