Derrynaflan Church
| Derrynaflan Church | |
|---|---|
| Teampall Dhoire na bhFlann (Irish) | |
The site in January 2022.
| |
| 52°35′50″N 7°44′02″W / 52.597318°N 7.733818°W | |
| Type | church |
| Location | Lurgoe, Littleton Bog, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| History | |
| Built | 11th–13th century AD |
| Site notes | |
| Elevation | 139 m (456 ft) |
| Architectural styles | Romanesque, Gothic |
| National monument of Ireland | |
| Official name | Derrynaflan Church |
| Reference no. | 335 |
Derrynaflan Church is a medieval church and National Monument located in County Tipperary, Ireland.[1]
Location
Derrynaflan Church is located on an "island" in Littleton bog, located 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) south of Littleton.[2]
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.[3]
A Franciscan community existed at Derrynaflan between 1676 and 1717.[4]
It is famous as the discovery site of the Derrynaflan Hoard of gold and silver objects of the 8th–9th century.[5]
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."[6]
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.[7]
References
- Back to citation "Derrynaflan -"; Boland, Rosita (13 August 2017). A Secret Map of Ireland. New Island Books. ISBN 9781904301783 – via Google Books; "Connaissance Des Arts". Societe Francaise de Promotion Artistique. 13 August 1980 – via Google Books.
- Back to citation "Derrynaflan (Co. Tipperary) - Irish Franciscans". www.franciscans.ie.
- Back to citation "TS054-002002-: Church: LURGOE". National Monuments Service.
- Back to citation "TS054-002002-: Church: LURGOE". National Monuments Service. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- Back to citation "Derrynaflan Island owner 'will sell it to Travellers'"; "Treasure Trove: The Derrynaflan Hoard". The Ultimate History Project; Vergo, Peter (13 August 1989). New Museology. Reaktion Books. ISBN 9780948462030 – via Google Books.
- Back to citation "Derrynaflan, County Tipperary". timetravelireland.blogspot.ie.
- Back to citation "Derrynaflan (Gobán Saor's grave)". www.irishstones.org.