The Oratory of St Benan stands on the SE hilltop of Inishmore. It is said to be the smallest in Europe, measuring only 3 x 2 m. It was probably used by a hermit and it may have been built as a tomb shrine. St Benan (or Benignus) may have been the disciple who succeeded
St Patrick at Armagh. It has been suggested the small building immediately on the north side may have been a hermitage, though this is far from clear and not datable.
OS 51 885 071 marked
see:
St Patrick,
Irish Monasticism,
Irish hermits, Tomb Shrines
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