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Kilmacduagh
Monastery ~
Gort |
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Kilmacduagh Monsastry is the site of an old
monastic settlement, 5 km from the town of Gort. It was the birthplace of the
Diocese of Kilmacduagh, whose name means "church of Duagh's son".
The 7th century saint, Saint Colman, son of
Duagh, established a monastery on land given him by his cousin King Guaire.
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The monastery contains a round tower, notable as
both fine example of this particularly Irish feature but also because of its
noticeable lean, over half a metre from the vertical. The tower is over 30
metres tall, with the only doorway some 7 metres above ground level.
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. |
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The name Kilmacduagh means "church of Duagh's
son". The 7th century saint, Saint Colman, son of Duagh,
established a monastery on land given him by his cousin King
Guaire.
According to legend, Saint Colman MacDuagh was
walking through the woods of the Burren when his girdle fell to the ground.
Taking this as a sign, he built his monastery on this spot. |
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. This
early Christian site is well worth a visit not only for its
ruined churches and well preserved round tower, but also the
site affords a splendid view of the local area, and is the
centre of interesting local legends and folklore. |
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