An early monastery was founded at this site by St. Colmcille for his relative and disciple Mura in the 6th century. Today this place is an old graveyard with the ruins of a wonderful cross slab, and a 17th century church.
Only the east (85°) gable and very short segments of the north and south walls of this church survives. The ruins are almost completely covered with ivy. The east wall has two antae, like those used in early Christian Irish churches, though this church dates from the early 17th century. It remained in use until 1820, when a new church was built. The round-headed east window has three lights and a simple tracery. Another walled up small window is in the south wall. The ruins have a low wall at their west end, and right outside it there's a small burial plot for the Hankshaw family, whose memorial slab is now set under the east window.
The inner walls of the church still retain the original plaster layer.
There are three wonderful grave slabs to the southeast of the church, next to Fahan Mura cross slab.
|