Derrynaflan Church

Coordinates: 52°35′50″N 7°44′02″W / 52.597318°N 7.733818°W / 52.597318; -7.733818
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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

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

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.