Majestic 7th Century Monastic Site In Gort, Co. Galway Editorial Photo

This interesting 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.The tower is interesting, both as a 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 lawless years of the 13th century. The interesting stonework features scattered throughout the small churches are worth searching for these are mostly inserts from the late 11th to the 15th centuries. The Reformation effectively brought the religious life of Kilmacduagh to a close.