Teampull Bheanáin, Medieval church on Inishmore, Ireland
Teampull Bheanáin is a stone medieval church on Inishmore with interior dimensions of roughly 3 by 2 meters, featuring high squared gables and massive stone walls. The small structure sits on a ridge and displays typical features of early Irish church architecture.
The church was built in the 11th century and served as a shrine tomb for Saint Benan, a follower of Saint Patrick. The structure is thus connected to the early phases of Christianity spreading across Ireland.
The church displays early Irish religious design with its keyhole-shaped doorway and single window oriented toward the Irish mainland. These features reflect the building traditions of the early Christian period.
The church sits on a ridge near Kilronan and is reached via a marked walking trail from the main settlement area. The location is somewhat remote, so wear proper footwear and dress for the weather conditions you may encounter.
Unusually, the church is oriented north to south rather than the standard east to west direction, with its altar facing southward. The reason for this unconventional alignment remains unclear even today.
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