Kilmacduagh Monastic Site

Founded in the 7^th century, there are two differing stories as to how Kilmacduagh Monastery came to be. According to Tuatha, one account tells how St. Meadoc was guided by an angel to go to Kilmacduagh in order to heal the King of Connaught, Guaire Mide Mac Colmáin. The King had the monastery built in his honour. The other account claims that Colmán Mac Duagh founded the monastery, after his belt fell to the ground. He saw this as a sign that this was the place in which the monastery was to be built.

Kilmacduagh is positioned at the edge of the Burren, and was associated with two local families – the O’Heynes and O’Shaughnesseys. The seven storey round tower is probably the site’s most impressive feature, standing at a height of 34.3m, and like the tower of Pisa, leans significantly. The round tower was restored twice by the OPW, first in 1878, and again in 1971.

Kilmacduagh is an enclosed settlement, and is made up of multiple buildings – there is St. John’s Church, possibly dating to the 12^th century, the abbot’s house and O’Heynes Church, built in the 13^th century, and St. Mary’s Church, situated across the road and likely from the early 1200s. There is also the larger Cathedral.

Much of the site was damaged over the years due to battles that occurred – the King of Connaught, Cathal Croibhdhearg O’Conor fought his nephew, Cathal Carrach O’Conor, in the 13^th century, supported by Anglo-Norman allies on both sides.

Another battle occurred when the 1^st Earl of Ulster, Walter de Burgh, seized the territory of Uí Fiachrach Aidne to give to his sons.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014