Churches

Galway
The Aran Islands
St. Enid came to "Aran of the Saints" to found a monastery in 490 and many other saints including St. Brenan studied here before Viking raiders destroyed the monastery. (Teaghlach Bheanain, St. Brendan's little stone oratory can be found on Inismore.)

Portumna Castle
A rare example of a 17th century Irish mansion formerly the stronghold of the Clanrickardes. The runis of a small Dominican priory (1425) lie in the castle grounds.

Kilmacduagh
(Church of the son of Duach)
(5km from Gort on the Corofin road). King Guaire of Gort donated the site to his kinsman, St. Colman in the 6th century.
The monastic remains are striking and encompass a Church of Ireland cathedral, part of which dates from the 10th century; an excellent example of a leaning round tower structure; John the Baptist's church and St. Mary's Church, also in ruins. There is a tower house north of the cathedral which served as the abbot's house. There is also a small monastery The ruins of a Dominican Priory, (built in 1241 and suppressed in 1652 by Cromwellian forces), contains the tomb of Lady Mathilda Birmingham and other interesting grave slabs.

Kilcolgan
(Cill Cholgáin - The Church of Colga)
The village is named after St. Cloga, who left Iona in the 6th century to found his own monastery. (Which now lies under the Protestant church) Kilcolgan castle overlooks the estuary of the Dunkellin River and was once the home of the St. George family who also owned Tyrone House (now in ruin). Drumacoo, an ancient churchsite, dedicated to St. Sourney, contains the St. George family vault.

St. Brenan's Cathedral, Loughrea
Described as the treasure house of the Celtic Revival, with its stained glass windows, metalwork, woodcarving, sculpure and textiles by a myriad of Irish artists. St. Brenans life is portrayed here. There is a perfect statue of the Virgin and Child and the diocesan museum is also worth a visit.