The oratory Teampall Bheanáin (; meaning "Benan's Temple") is situated near

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. A unique example of Celtic church construction. It marks the location of the original monastic settlement founded by Benen, a disciple of St. Patrick, the national saint of Ireland. It dates from the 11th century, and has stood unaltered a thousand years. It is not a conventional church in the sense of its ability to hold a congregation. It is reasonably assumed to be the tomb-shrine of the saint. This ensured its survival when the adjacent round tower and medieval monastery were recycled to fortify the now-ruined Cromwellian coastal fortress nearby. The oratory is situated high on a ridge, which dominates the windward southeast sea approach to the main island port. Roofless and with unusually high squared gables it cuts a striking, almost oriental silhouette against the skyline, even though internally it measures a tiny 3.2 m x 2.1 m. It is formed from massive blocks of stone (a single slab forms a half of one side), and is bonded by mortar and very careful fitting. Its thick walls are pierced by a traveated (three beam) narrow north doorway with

inclining jamb Incline, inclined, inclining, or inclination may refer to: *Grade (slope), the tilt, steepness, or angle from horizontal of a topographic feature (hillside, meadow, etc.) or constructed element (road, railway, field, etc.) *Slope, the tilt, steepn ...

s, and cut away

lintel A lintel or lintol is a type of beam (a horizontal structural element) that spans openings such as portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented/structural item. In the case ...

. A small east window with a single stone semi-circular head keeps a vigil towards the mainland of Ireland. The

altar An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religion, religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, Church (building), churches, and other places of worship. They are use ...

faces south rather than east/west which is the usual position, though the symbolism of this is not known.

References

''Habitual Masonry Styles and Local Organisation of Church Building in Early Medieval Ireland''
Tomás ó Carragáin, Dept. of Archaeology, UCC 2005 * Saints and Shrines of Aran Mor - C.Scantlebury S.J. {{DEFAULTSORT:Teampall Bheanain Buildings and structures in County Galway Religion in County Galway National monuments in County Galway Roman Catholic chapels in the Republic of Ireland