Kilmacduagh Monastery is a ruined abbey near the town of Gort in County Galway, Ireland. It was the birthplace of the Diocese of Kilmacduagh. It was reportedly founded by Saint Colman, son of Duagh in the 7th century, on land given him by his cousin King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin of Connacht.
Location and name
Kilmacduagh Monastery is located in Kilmacduagh, a village of the same name, about 5 km from the town of Gort.
The name of the place translates as "church of Duagh's son". It was reportedly the 7th century Saint Colman, son of Duagh who established a monastery here on land given to him by his cousin King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin of Connacht, who had a fortified dwelling near what is today Dunguaire Castle.
History
As with most dates from this period, the year in which the monastery was founded is somewhat uncertain, but apparently the early 7th century is deemed the most likely.
Colman was abbot/bishop at the monastery until his death. Of his successors, only one appears in the annals by name, one Indrect (died 814), before the arrival of the English. The abbey is also attributed to Bishop Maurice Ileyan (died 1283) but the architectural evidence, according to Harold Leask, allows only the later added east range of the abbey to be associated with bishop Maurice. During the reformation this was granted to the Earl of Clanricarde. under the supervision of Sir Thomas Deane, with financial support from Sir William Henry Gregory of Coole Park.
The Diocese of Kilmacduagh is now incorporated into the United Dioceses of Tuam and Limerick in the Church of Ireland and in the Roman Catholic divisions, into the Diocese of Galway.
Architecture
thumb|Cathedral
thumb|Kilmacduagh round tower: at it was the tallest pre-modern construction in Ireland.
The ruins of the monastery are sometimes referred to as "the seven churches". However, not all of these buildings were actually churches, none of them dates back to the 7th century. The buildings are: The girdle was said to be studded with gems and was held by the O'Shaughnessys centuries later, along with St. Colman's crozier. The girdle was later lost.
It is said that, in the Diocese of Kilmacduagh, no man will ever die from a lightning strike.
Deans
The Dean of Kilmacduagh was the priest in charge of the cathedral at Kilmacduagh monastery. Notable former deans included:
- 1662–1697: Dudley Persse
- 1697–1719: Stephen Handcock (also Dean of Clonmacnoise)