St. Mathiass Chapel

In the SW corner of a large rectangular graveyard close to the E shore of the island. This is a small poorly preserved medieval church (E-W; L 10m, Wth 3.7m). Apart from the flat-headed doorway and aumbry in the S wall, no architectural features survive. Traces of an internal division exist at the E end. A subcircular burial area (GA050-011002-) to the NE of church is defined by a low wall of irregular boulders. It contains a ruined leacht (GA050-011003-) with a cross-inscribed pillar (GA050-011004-) (Higgins 1987, ii, 281, no. 12). A round pebble carved with a three-line Greek cross provenanced to this church or associated graveyard is now in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (ibid., 403-4, no. 122). No trace was found of the 'well (GA050-011005-) just to south of church' (Killanin 1954, 101). (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 121, 125; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 387) 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: 12 June 2018

A local church or high cross; wider significance not recorded.