What is recorded here

Inishcaltra is a small island off the Clare coast where St Caimin's church still stands beside ancient burial chambers. A sundial once marked time on the south wall of that church, its stone slab pierced for a gnomon and decorated with five rays beneath a semicircle. The dial has left the island and now rests in an OPW depot in Athenry, but the idea remains: even a holy place needed to know when the day was passing.

Not listed in the SMR (1992) or the 1996 RMP. This record is for the original location of a sundial that according to Macalister (1916-17, 167, no. 92, and plate XXIV) was on the S wall of the nave of St. Caimin’s church (CL029-009011-) on Inis Cealtra (Holy Island), Co. Clare. It is now in the OPW depot in Athenry, Co. Galway where it has SMR number (GA084-151008-) (L 1.46m; Wth at top 0.4m; Wth at base 0.36m; T 0.1m). Macalister (ibid.) described the sundial as a slab with a hole for the gnomon, pierced through the stone, and a semicircle with five rays below it.’ Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 22 July 2015

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.