Na Seacht dTeampaill (The Seven Churches)

The legendary tale of Breacán lingers within these walls

Unguided sites

Eoghanacht, Árainn
Galway

Na Seacht dTeampaill (The Seven Churches)

The legendary tale of Breacán lingers within these walls

Unguided sites

Eoghanacht, Árainn
Galway

Restrictions

Slippery Surfaces
Uneven Surfaces
Uneven walkways

Notice

Na Seacht dTeampaill is a state-owned National Monuments in the care of the Office of Public Works

*Safety Information: This site is occasionally waterlogged in winter and the uneven ground can be slippery when wet. Access to some parts of the site involves crossing over stone walls using stone steps and stiles, so care is needed.*

WARNING: It should be noted that these sites are unguided and a level of care and caution should be maintained during all stages of your visit. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) will not be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur

Na Seacht dTeampaill (The Seven Churches)

Despite its popular name there are really only two churches amongst ‘The Seven Churches’; the other buildings were probably accommodation for pilgrims and outbuildings. Árainn’s importance as a pilgrimage destination is indicated by the fact that in 1607 Pope Paul V granted a plenary indulgence to all who visited the churches of the island on particular holy days.

The largest building on the site is Teampall Bhreacáin (‘the temple of Breacán’), measuring 5m by 13m. Breacán is said to have lived in the 6th century and his original name was Bresal. According to a 15th century poem, he expelled a demon called Breacán Cláiringneach (‘deformed’) from Árainn, took over the site and adopted his name. The story may be a metaphor for the Christianisation of a previously pagan site.

The oldest section of Teampall Bhreacáin is the north-western corner, which has one of a pair of ‘projecting antae’ and the large masonry of the 10th century. The church was more than doubled in size in the 13th century, and the difference in the building styles can clearly be seen on the west wall. At the centre of the west wall, just above head height is an inscription: OR AR II CONOIN: ‘pray for the two canons’.

Through the arch immediately to the west of Teampall Bhreacáin lie two leabaí, said to be the graves of saints. The larger of the two is Leaba Bhreacáin which contains a fragment of a cross inscribed slab, bearing the saint’s name. The other is Leaba an Spiorad Naomh (‘bed of the Holy Ghost’). In one corner stands part of what was once a substantial high cross, bearing panels of interlace on one side and the lower part of a crucifixion scene on the other.

There are two further high crosses on the site. To the south, on top of a ridge, at the level of the road, fragments of a cross which stood here were unfortunately cemented together flat on the ground in the 19th century, so that only one face is now visible. To the north of the graveyard, in a small enclosure, are fragments of another cross, which originally would have been about 4m high. The crosses are similar in style to those in Cill Éinne and in neighbouring Co. Clare, and probably date to the 11th century.

In the east of the graveyard is a group of cross-slabs among which is one of the mast famous inscriptions on the site, which reads: VII ROMANI: ‘7 Romans’. This is traditionally interpreted as marking the graves of a group of Roman pilgrims to Árainn, although other interpretations are possible.

This graveyard is still in use: please remember people may be visiting graves.

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