Holy Island

St Colum founded a monastery here in Lough Derg in the 6C. The Irish name Inishcealtra means Island of Churches. But St Mac Creiche the hermit was here before him.

St Colman Stellan, the abbot, died here 651
St Caiman also made a foundation here in 640.
St Coelan is associated with the Island in the 8C

There are many churches including
St Caimin’s tomb shrine. In front of it is a cross slab and a cross base.
St Caimin’s 10C is now re-roofed and the Romanesque arch restored.
St Colum’s church was added to the above church to form a chancel and is
dated to the 12C. It may have been built on the site of his cell.
 
Church of the Wounded Men from the 12C
St Brigit’s Church from the 12C with a fine Romanesque doorway
St Mary’s Church a 13/14C church.
St Michael’s church once stood on the brow of the island.

There is the shaft of a High Cross, a Round Tower and near the western shore a Holy Well. There are some bullaun stones. Also a stone with holes connected from either end used to seal an agreement with handshake

There is a remarkable graveyard with many undisturbed grave slabs.
There is a 12C slab of Domnall the Priest right in front of the church.
There are several crosses and cross slabs inside St Caimin’s church which is, unfortunately, often locked.

OS 58 697 850 marked

Irish Monasticism, Cross Slabs and High Crosses, Holy Wells and Holy Trees, Round Towers, Tomb Shrines

see Holy Island, a History, by Gerard Madden