Derrynaflan Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Derrynaflan Church |
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| Native name Irish: Teampall Dhoire na bhFlann |
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Paten discovered at Derrynaflan (detail)
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| Type | church |
| Location | Lurgoe, Littleton Bog, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Elevation | 139 m (456 ft) |
| Built | 11th–13th century AD |
| Architectural style(s) | Pre-Romanesque |
| Official name: Derrynaflan Church | |
| Reference no. | 335 |
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Derrynaflan Church is a very old church and a special National Monument located in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is known for its long history and an amazing discovery made there.
Contents
Where is Derrynaflan Church Located?
Derrynaflan Church sits on a small "island" in the middle of Littleton bog. This spot is about 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) south of the town of Littleton.
What is the History of Derrynaflan Church?
Early Days: A Monastery Founded in the 6th Century
The story of Derrynaflan began around the 6th century AD. A monastery was built here by a person named Ruadhán of Lorrha. The name "Derrynaflan" means "oak grove of the Flanns."
Over time, powerful King-Bishops of Cashel supported the monastery. It became an important center for a group of monks called the Culdees. These monks were known for their strict religious lives.
However, the monastery started to decline after the death of Fedelmid mac Crimthainn in 846 AD. Today, only the old enclosure walls from that time remain.
The Stone Church and Later Communities
The stone church you can see today was built much later. It is a pre-Norman building, meaning it was constructed before the Normans arrived in Ireland. It originally had a single main room, called a cell. A chancel (the part of the church near the altar) was added later.
Much later, between 1676 and 1717, a group of Franciscan monks lived at Derrynaflan.
The Famous Derrynaflan Hoard Discovery
Derrynaflan is most famous for a incredible discovery made there. In the 1980s, a hidden collection of gold and silver objects was found. This treasure is known as the Derrynaflan Hoard. It includes beautiful items from the 8th and 9th centuries.
Ancient Inscriptions and Burial Sites
Archaeologists also found a stone slab at the site. This slab is now kept in the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. It has an old inscription that says, "a prayer for the soul of Dubscuile."
What Can You See at Derrynaflan Church?
The church building itself is a pre-Norman design. It once had a single main room. Today, you can still see parts of the east, north, and south walls of the chancel. These walls have five windows. You can also see the foundations of the nave, which was the main part of the church where people sat.
Around the church, there is also an ancient ring barrow and a medieval cemetery. To the northeast, there is a burial site. Some people believe this is where the legendary Irish craftsman, Gobán Saor, is buried.
