Kilmacduagh Monastery, Galway |
|
Hover over the image for an enlargement |
|
This image is available to buy in the following sizes
(Prices include international shipping) |
10x30 cm (4x12 in) £16
21x63 cm (8x25 in) £28
33x99 cm (13x39 in) £46
|
|
Kilmacduagh Monastery is situated 5 km from the town of Gort in County Galway, Ireland. The name Kilmacduagh roughly translates as "church of Duagh's son". The 7th century Saint Colman, son of Duagh, established a monastery on land given to him by his cousin King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin of Connacht. Legend describes how the site came to be at this particular location. Saint Colman (MacDuagh) was said to have been walking through woods close to the Burren when his girdle fell to the ground. Taking this as a sign, he chose this spot on which to build his monastery. The girdle was said to be studded with gems and was held by the O'Shaughnessys centuries later, along with St. Colman's crozier, or staff. The girdle was later lost, but the crozier came to be held by the O'Heynes and may now be seen in the National Museum of Ireland. The round tower in the monastery is notable as both a fine example of this particularly Irish feature but also because of its noticeable lean: over half a metre from the vertical. Kilmacduagh tower is over 30 metres tall (111 feet, 10 inches), with the only doorway some 7 metres (26 feet) above ground level. The walls are over six feet thick at the base, underneath which lie some skeletons. This site was of such importance that it became the centre of a new diocese, the Diocese of Kilmacduagh, in the 12th century; it is now incorporated into the Diocese of Galway. The monastery, because of its wealth and importance, was plundered several times in the 13th century. The Reformation effectively brought the religious life of Kilmacduagh to a close. |
|
