Temple Jarlath

On a W-facing slope within a meander of the Clare River: the monument stands within an overgrown rectangular graveyard. Traditionally regarded as the site of St Jarlath's first monastic foundation before his move to Tuam (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 377; see GA029-199----). The church is marked on 1st ed. of OS 6-inch map as a roofed rectangular building, aligned E-W. All that survives is part of an ivy-clad W gable and adjoining section of N side-wall of a rectangular building (ESE-WNW: L >1.75m, Wth >3.55m). According to OS Letters (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 44, also 34-5, 42-5), its internal dimensions 'as is definable by the foundation, were '13 yards by 4 yards' (L 11.8m, Wth 3.7m). Of W gable, OS Letters (ibid.) also record that there was 'a window or opening on, or near its top' but no trace of it was noted. Intermittent wall foundations are also visible just to NW and SW of the church. A CBG (GA029-058003-) and a bullaun lie immediately to S. (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 448) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

Temple Jarlath in Cloonfush is traditionally attributed to St Jarlath, who is believed to have founded the site in the 6th century before moving to Tuam. Dedicated to St Jarlath, the church is associated with early Christian monastic activity in the region and is linked to the spread of Christianity in west Connacht.