inishcaltra

There is a somewhat doubtful report that the monastery was following the Benedictine rule in the 8th century. The Vikings burned the monastery in 836 and again in 922. Brian Boru is said to have built one of the churches on the island, while his brother, who died in 1009, was Abbot. Around 1043 a monk at Inishcaltra named Anmchad was ordered to leave the monastery because, as Guest-master, he had offered wine to the monastery's guests without the Abbot's permission. He left for Fulda in Germany where he shut himself up alone in his cell for 10 years. By the beginning of the 14th century, St. Caimin's church was used as a parish church, but it may well have fallen into ruins in the course of the following two centuries. By the end of the 17th century the island had become a place of pilgrimage and penance. The buildings which remain are as follows:
St. Michael's Church: Ruined oratory in ancient enclosure.
St. Brigid's Church: Rectangular church with Romanesque doorway, part of which has been incorrectly reconstructed.
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