St. Columbkills Altar

On shoreline to the S of An Pointe Beag, Inis Mór. Known locally as Altóir Cholm Cille, it consists of a small drystone enclosure (1.4m by 1.2m) within which is a crude limestone cross bearing the letters IHS and the saint's name. During the course of fieldwork on the AranLIFE Farming Project (2014-2018) (see www.aranlife.ie) it was noted that the site is sign-posted 'Tobar Cholmcille'. In recent years its surrounds have been strengthened with addition of rock armour and steps now lead up to it. (Robinson 1980) 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: 11 December 2018

A local fairy fort (ringfort/rath); wider significance not recorded.