St. Gobnet's Church Innisheer, Medieval church and national monument in Inisheer, Ireland

St. Gobnet's Church is a rectangular stone church in the northern part of Inisheer, built in the 11th or 12th century. Around it stand the remains of a beehive hut, two bullaun stones with hollowed depressions, and three raised stone slabs. The site was excavated in 1980 by W. Walsh.

The site is believed to have been in use since the 6th century, when Saint Gobnait is said to have fled from County Clare to Inisheer to escape a family feud. The rectangular stone church was built in the 11th or 12th century. It was excavated in 1980 by W. Walsh.

Local tradition says Saint Gobnait fled County Clare to Inisheer because of a family feud, and that her beehive hut stood here. An angel then told her to return to the mainland and go south until she saw nine white deer; she settled at Ballyvourney and founded a religious community there.

The church sits on Inisheer, a small island best reached by ferry that requires some planning to visit. The location is often windy and exposed, so expect changeable weather and bring sturdy footwear.

Excavations in the 1980s revealed special stones called bullaun stones that were used in ancient religious practices. These discoveries show that the site has a longer history of ritual use than its visible structures might suggest.