Notice, St Aidan's Church

Image: © Kenneth Allen Taken: 18 Apr 2010

The text reads, "The original church on this site was referred to as the Church of Tamlaghtard. It was founded by St Colmcille in the middle of the 6th century but no trace of this church remains. The ruins you see are of a more recent church, erected in medieval times on the foundations of the Columban church. This church was renovated by William Gage in 1660 and the Church of Ireland community worshipped here until 1773, when they moved to their present church situated nearby. Bishop Hervey bestowed the vacated church on the Roman Catholic community, who continued to worship here until 1826 when they moved to their new chapel, known as St Aidan's. The saint died in Lindisfarne, Northumbria in 651 AD and his body was brought by St Colman to Tamlaghtard in 667AD. Soil from his grave is said to alleviate all manner of skin complaints. St Colmcille located his church here as this was a place held sacred by the pagan world. The pagan spring and well were later re-dedicated to St Aidan. Two graves in the church merit attention: the grave of Denis O'Hampsey (1695-1807) one of Ireland's greatest harpers; and the grave of Joseph Allison whose son emigrated to the New World in 1768, where the family prospered and one of his descendants founded the first university in Canada. A pathway leads from the graveyard to the Mass Rock at Croaghan on the lower slopes of Benevenagh where the Roman Catholic community worshipped during Penal Times in the 18th century. In the vicinity is the site of the Abbey of Duncrun. which was founded by St Patrick in 432AD. The Abbey was plundered by a band of Vikings in 1203 On the 10th September 1989, the present church re-dedicated by the Most Reverend Dr Edward Daly, D.D. Reverend Frank O'Hagan PP December 2004" The notice is located beside the Holy Well

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0