innisfallen church and abbey

The first monastery on this scenically situated island in Lough Leane is said to have been founded by St. Finian the Leper in the 7th century. It was twice plundered by the Vikings. Its most renowned monk, Maelsuthain O'Carroll, 'chief doctor of the Western world of his time' and a friend of the High King Brian Boru, died in 1009. It flourished in the 12th century until it was plundered in 1180 by Maiilduin, son of Donal O'Donoghue. However, it survived this shock and remained such a centre of learning that the Annals of Inisfallen - a most important historical source for the early history of Ireland - were written here around 1215. In 1320 it adopted the Benedictine rule. A 12th century oratory standing on a low cliff above the shore has a small round-headed east window and a Romanesque doorway decorated with animal heads in the west wall. A small carved cross found in the water near by stands inside. About 60 feet away are the remains of the Abbey. The western two-thirds of the Abbey church with antae and a (restored) flat-headed doorway belong to an early church.