Unfortunately when we came here major restoration works were being carried out and the round tower was completely wrapped by a thick scaffolding. The ruins were fenced off and it was impossible to get closer.
Óengus mac Óengobann was born in the second half of the 8th century in what is now known as Clonenagh, co. Laois, and there he attended the monastic school of St. Fintan's. He became a cleric and later on he moved to Tallaght where he was an active member of a religious community. Here he was ordained a bishop. He wanted to be a hermit and lived alone for a while on the banks of River Nore, but Clonenagh was too close and he decided to choose a more secluded place not far from the modern town of Portlaoise. He called this place Diseart Óengus and built a small oratory.
Despite this, his fame attracted many persons to him, so he abandoned his oratory and returned to Tallaght where he died in 824.
He is honoured as a saint in the Catholic Church, his feast date is March 11th.
There is no evidence that this small religious settlement was founded by Óengus himself, but clearly has been named in memory of him. Of course nothing remains of those early buildings, and what we see today are the ruins of a church and a round tower dating from the 11th or 13th century. The round tower is 3.5 metres north (5°) from the church and its doorway faces east.
A small horse came around to be petted by us.
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