Temple MacDuagh, Inishmore, Galway

Temple MacDuagh / Teampall Mac duach

Church of St Colman MacDuagh

Teampall MacDuach is a hugely impressive example of an 10th/11th century Irish church. Originally built as an Early Christian oratory, it has all the typical features of that period, antae, inclined trabeate doorway and enormous, almost cycolpean, blocks used in the construction. Later a chancel with a superb arch, pictured below, was added to the east end of the building. A third phase of construction took place around the 13th/14th centuy when battlements were added to the north and south walls of the chancel. There is a single light splayed window in the east wall.

Temple MacDuagh / Teampall Mac duach Church of St Colman MacDuagh Teampall MacDuach is a hugely impressive example of an 10th/11th century Irish church. Originally built as an Early Christian oratory, it has all the typical features of that period, antae, inclined trabeate doorway and enormous, almost cycolpean, blocks used in the construction. Later a chancel with a superb arch, pictured below, was added to the east end of the building. A third phase of construction took place around the 13th/14th centuy when battlements were added to the north and south walls of the chancel. There is a single light splayed window in the east wall.
Doorway with antae	Cross inscribed-pillar
Standing about one metre west of the church is the tall cross-inscribed pillar stone pictured above right. It bears a latin cross with a double lined ring. At the base the cross ends in a circle containing a Greek cross. The church is dedicated to St Colmán Mac Duagh who founded the famous monastery at Kilmacduagh also in County Galway. St Colmán studied under St Enda, who founded a monastery on Aran in the 5th century.
Situated: From Kilronan on Inishmore head west on An Bothar Mor for about six kilometres, then turn left at the shops. After fifty metres you should see Kilmurvey house. The church is situated in a field behind the house. Discovery Map 51: L 8233 1034. Last visit June 2023. Longitude: 9° 45' 32.1" W Latitude: 53° 07' 51.1" N Google Map Photos: José Gutiérrez.