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Kilbennan

Location
(53°32′30″N, 8°53′26″W)
Kilbennan
M 41 55
pre-1974 traditional (Republic of Ireland) Galway
now Galway
medieval not confirmed
  • Tessa Garton

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Feature Sets
Description

Early Christian site with round tower with plain round-headed doorway and ruined church of later date. One piece of Romanesque carved stone is preserved at the site.

History

The foundation of the monastery is attributed to St Benen or Benignus, a 5thc. saint. The annals record the burning of the settlement in 1114.

Features

Loose Sculpture

Comments/Opinions

This voussoir is the only remaining trace of a Romanesque building that must once have occupied the site. Rosettes within lozenges are also found at Annaghdown (Galway), Killaloe Cathedral and Tomgraney (Clare).

Bibliography
Barrow, L., The Round Towers of Ireland, Dublin, 1979, 97.
Kelly, R.J., ‘Notes on the Round Tower of Kilbannon’ JRSAI, 31, 1901, 379-81.