Aghalurcher Monastery

Aghalurcher (Irish: Achad-urchaire, Achad-lurchaire, meaning "Field of the Cast") was a pre-Norman monastery located east of the shore of upper Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, founded according to legend by Saint Ronan in the 6th to early 7th century and dedicated to him in the ninth century. The site includes the ruins of a medieval church with a small gated vault (locked) — where sculptural fragments are stored — and a gateway constructed with stones from the church. The church was remodelled in 1447 with a new roof added. The site seems to have been abandoned after a murder on the altar effectively deconsecrated the church.[1]

Aghalurcher
Aghalurcher Church Yard
Monastery information
Established6th-early 7th century?
Disestablishedc. 1484
DioceseDiocese of Clogher RC, Diocese of Clogher CI
People
Founder(s)St. Ronan, son of Aedh Dubh
Site
LocationLough Erne, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh

The site includes some interesting gravestones of the late 18th century,[2] plus an early medieval carved head on the gateway. Additional sculptural fragments from the site are at the Fermanagh County Museum at Enniskillen Castle.

Aghalurcher signpost on east side of Newbridge Road

Saints associated with Aghalurcher Monastery

References
  1. Eileen Gardiner, Pilgrim's Way to St. Patrick's Purgatory, 2010, pp. 112-14
    - Peter Harbison, Guide to National and Historic Monuments of Ireland, 1992, p. 137
    - Helen Hickey, Images of Stone, 1985, pp. 47–48, 50, 56–58, 62, 91, 95–96.
    - Alistair Rowan, North West Ulster: The Buildings of Ireland, 1979, pp. 361
    - Gwynn & Hadcock, Medieval Religious Houses: Ireland, 1970, p. 372
  2. Aghalurcher Graveyard
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