Monaincha Church

Monaincha Church is a medieval church building standing on an island in the former bog lake of Loch Cré, near Roscrea. The stone structure features a decorated sandstone chancel arch and a Romanesque doorway with intricate carvings and sculptural details.

The church was founded in the eighth century and underwent major reconstruction in the twelfth century. It became a significant pilgrimage destination in the Munster region, drawing devotees from across the area.

The high cross assembles stone fragments carved with horsemen, crucifixion imagery, and Celtic designs that visitors can examine while walking through the site. These carved narratives reveal how the community expressed its faith through visual storytelling in stone.

The church stands roughly 2.5 kilometers from Roscrea town center on an island within what was once a bog lake bed. Walking to the site involves crossing flat terrain, so sturdy footwear helps navigate the ground comfortably.

A thirteenth-century manuscript called The King's Mirror describes this location as a place where people aged more slowly than elsewhere. This curious claim about the island has persisted in local storytelling and folklore.

Location: County Tipperary

Inception: 12 century

GPS coordinates: 52.94632,-7.74795

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:26