Temple Cronan

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Temple Cronan
Relief on the wall
Early Christian shrine next to the temple

Temple Cronan (Irish: Teampall Chrónáin ) is a church dedicated to Saint Crónán of Roscrea or Tuamgraney . It is located in the Burren in County Clare, Ireland and is not to be confused with St. Crónán's church in Tuamgraney.

There is no historical evidence of the history of the Church. Because of its small size and location, it is believed possible that it was an oratory or a hermitage . There is no evidence for this either, since the population structure of the Middle Ages in the Burren is unknown.

The small church of simple rectangular shape measures seven by four meters, making it larger and probably younger than corresponding churches on the Aran Islands . Two Romanesque carved corbels in the walls point to the 12th century, the lintel above the original entrance in the west gable, however, to an earlier date. Its function ended when it was built into the northern wall. As with many early medieval churches, a new entrance was added in the 15th century. The narrow east window is rounded at the top on the outside, but has a square reveal on the inside .

There are two stone remains near the church: one of these early tent-shaped shrines is believed to be the burial place of St. Crónán. The presence of the two shrines suggests a predecessor to the 12th century church. Similar burial shrines are Kilabounia and Killoluaig on the Dingle Peninsula .

The base and shaft of a cross are to the northwest of the church by the nearby farmhouse. Such termon crosses usually marked the border of church land. Other crosses that once stood near Temple Cronan have now been destroyed.

In the vicinity of Temple Cronan, surrounded by altars made of stones, so-called penitentiary stations, is a sacred spring ( Tobar Chrónáin ). Public places of worship can be found primarily in the Burren and the Aran Islands .

literature

  • George Cunningham: Burren Journey North . Burren Research Press, Ballyvaughan 1992, ISBN 0-9503-0803-X .

Web links

Coordinates: 53 ° 2 '47 "  N , 9 ° 3' 40"  W.