Derryvella facts for kids
| Mainistir Chathair Dún Iascaigh | |
 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Doire-mor; Daire-mor |
| Established | mid-7th century AD |
| Diocese | Cashel and Emly |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Celtic |
| Site | |
| Location | Derryvella, Littleton, County Tipperary |
| Coordinates | 52°37′05″N 7°40′09″W / 52.617942°N 7.669079°W |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Derryvella Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site |
| Reference no. | 533 |
Derryvella, also known as Daire Mór, is an ancient Christian monastery in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is also a special National Monument, meaning it's protected because of its important history. This site gives us a peek into early Irish Christian life.
Where is Derryvella?
Derryvella is located in a unique spot in County Tipperary, Ireland. It sits on a small hill in a boggy area. You can find it east of Lough Derryvella, which is a lake. It's about 5.2 kilometers (about 3.2 miles) southwest of the town of Littleton.
What is Derryvella's History?
A monastery has been on this site since the middle of the 7th century AD. That's over 1,300 years ago! Some people think this might be the same place as "Daire Mór," which means "great oakwood." This older site was supposedly founded by a person named Colmán of Derrymore.
However, there's another idea. Some believe that the real Daire Mór is actually at a different location called Longfordpass North. They suggest that Derryvella is actually "Doire Meille." This site is linked to Tigernach of Clones and is thought to be one of Ireland's oldest churchyards.
What Does Derryvella Look Like?
Today, Derryvella is a circular area that was once an enclosure. This means it was likely surrounded by a wall or ditch. It measures about 150 meters (about 492 feet) from north to south. From east to west, it measures about 125 meters (about 410 feet). These measurements show how large the monastery grounds once were.
