Roscam facts for kids
| Ros Cam | |
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 Location in Ireland
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Ros-chaim; Ros-camm |
| Established | 5th century AD |
| Diocese | Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora |
| Architecture | |
| Status | ruined |
| Style | Celtic |
| Site | |
| Location | Roscam, Oranmore, County Galway |
| Coordinates | 53°15′52″N 8°59′06″W / 53.264423°N 8.984974°W |
| Visible remains | Church, bullauns and round tower |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Roscam Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site |
| Reference no. | 46 |
Roscam is a very old church site and a National Monument located in County Galway, Ireland. It's a special place where you can see the remains of a monastery that was built a very long time ago.
Contents
Where is Roscam?
Roscam is found about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) east of Galway city. It's right next to Oranmore Bay, which is a part of the sea.
A Look Back in Time: Roscam's History
Early Days: A Monastery's Beginning
Roscam was once home to a very early monastery, built around the 5th century AD. That's over 1,500 years ago! Some old stories say that Saint Patrick, a very famous saint in Ireland, had a connection to this place. Another important person linked to Roscam was Odran, who was the brother of Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, another well-known saint from the 6th century.
Viking Visitors and an Unfinished Tower
In the year 807 AD, Vikings attacked Roscam. These were warriors from Scandinavia who often raided coastal areas. Later, in the 11th century, a tall round tower was started here. However, it seems the tower was never fully finished. This tower once marked the edge of the land belonging to a powerful family called the O'Hallorans.
Later Buildings and Old Stories
The church building you can see today at Roscam was built much later, in the 15th century. There are also old tales that say Roscam was used as a place for people to settle disagreements in the medieval times. This was because it was far from Galway city but easy to get to by boat.
What You Can See Today at Roscam
When you visit Roscam, you can see the remains of several old structures. There's a limestone round tower that stands about 11 meters (36 feet) tall. You can also find bullauns, which are stones with bowl-shaped hollows, possibly used for grinding or rituals. The church ruins are about 22 meters (72 feet) long. The entire site is surrounded by a large enclosure, which was like a protective wall or boundary for the monastery.
