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

Derrynaflan Church
Native name
Irish: Teampall Dhoire na bhFlann
The site in January 2022.
Typechurch
LocationLurgoe, Littleton Bog,
County Tipperary, Ireland
Coordinates52°35′50″N 7°44′02″W / 52.597318°N 7.733818°W / 52.597318; -7.733818
Elevation139 m (456 ft)
Built11th–13th century AD
Architectural style(s)Romanesque, Gothic
Official nameDerrynaflan Church
Reference no.335
Derrynaflan Church is located in Ireland
Derrynaflan Church
Location of Derrynaflan Church in Ireland

Location edit

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

History edit

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.[citation needed]

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

It is famous as the discovery site of the Derrynaflan Hoard of gold and silver objects of the 8th–9th century.[5][6][7]

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."[8]

Description edit

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.[9]

References edit

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