Monaincha Priory
Three kms east of Roscrea stands the now dry islands of
Móin na hInse, the island in the bog, where the saints
of the surrounding monasteries went on retreat and which later
became the hermitage site of the reforming Culdees or Célí
Dé, and later still developed as one of Ireland’s
leading medieval pilgrimage sites.
Inis Locha Cré or Insula Loch Cré were the early
names. Both mean the same: the bog island of Cré. To
here the local saints, Cronan of Ros Cré, Molua of Kyle
and Canice of Aghaboe retreated: it features prominently in
all their lives.
It became better known in later centuries as a pilgrimage site.
Indeed, in the Middle Ages it was Munster’s most famous
place of pilgrimage.
In the 12th century the Augustinian Canons erected the exquisite
Hiberno-Romanesque nave and chancel church with highly decorated
doorway and chancel arch. Although now ruined and unroofed it
retains much of its magic and ethereal atmosphere. A former
Inspector of National Monuments, Harold Leask thought it virtually
unique:
No other church ruin in Ireland is so attractive in site
completeness, interesting detail and appearance as that of Monaincha.
The lake was drained in the 1790s and the islands became dry!
However, although it is over 200 years since Monaincha became
dry, it is still known as the Holy Island.
This very important site is well signposted from the town, not
too far from the Dublin road roundabout on the N7.
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