Derrynaflan Church

Contents

Derrynaflan Church is a medieval church and National Monument located in County Tipperary, Ireland.[1][2][3]

Location

Derrynaflan Church is located on an "island" in Littleton bog, located 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) south of Littleton.[4]

History

The monastery at Derrynaflan ("Oak grove of the Flanns"; formerly Daire Eidnech, "ivied oak grove") was founded by Ruadhán of Lorrha in the 6th century AD. It came under the patronage of the King-Bishops of Cashel. It was an important culdee centre, but went into decline after Fedelmid mac Crimthainn died in AD 846. Only the enclosure survives.

The surviving stone church is a pre-Norman cell with a chancel later added.[5]

A Franciscan community existed at Derrynaflan between 1676 and 1717.[6]

It is famous as the discovery site of the Derrynaflan Hoard of gold and silver objects of the 8th–9th century.[7][8][9]

A stone slab found on the site (now in the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology) is inscribed OR DOAN MAIN DVBSCVLL, "a prayer for the soul of Dubscuile."[10]

Description

A pre-Norman single-celled church without antae. The east, north and south walls of the chancel with five windows and the foundations of the nave survive.

There is also a ring barrow and medieval cemetery. To the northeast is a burial site, supposedly that of the legendary Gobán Saor.[11]

References

  1. 1."Derrynaflan -".
  2. 2.Boland, Rosita (13 August 2017). A Secret Map of Ireland. New Island Books. ISBN 9781904301783 – via Google Books.
  3. 3."Connaissance Des Arts". Societe Francaise de Promotion Artistique. 13 August 1980 – via Google Books.
  4. 4."Derrynaflan (Co. Tipperary) - Irish Franciscans". www.franciscans.ie.
  5. 5."TS054-002002- : Church : LURGOE". National Monuments Service.
  6. 6."TS054-002002-: Church: LURGOE". National Monuments Service. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  7. 7."Derrynaflan Island owner 'will sell it to Travellers'".
  8. 8."Treasure Trove: The Derrynaflan Hoard". The Ultimate History Project.
  9. 9.Vergo, Peter (13 August 1989). New Museology. Reaktion Books. ISBN 9780948462030 – via Google Books.
  10. 10."Derrynaflan, County Tipperary". timetravelireland.blogspot.ie.
  11. 11."Derrynaflan (Gobán Saor's grave)". www.irishstones.org.