Temple Cronan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple Cronan |
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One of the carved stone faces in the walls of Temple Cronan
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| Location | County Clare, Ireland |
| Built | 12th century |
| Reference no. | 13 |
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Temple Cronan is a very old, ruined church or chapel in County Clare, Ireland. It's found in a unique rocky area called the Burren. This ancient building is near a special holy well.
Most people believe the church you see today was built in the 12th and 15th centuries. However, it might contain parts of even older buildings. Some historians think it was once an early Christian monastery. Temple Cronan is located in the area of Carran, not far from Corofin and Ennis.
Contents
Discovering Temple Cronan's Past
Some people believe Temple Cronan was first built as a pagan temple. This idea comes from looking at its very old stone structures. The church has a window on its east side. It also had a small, ancient doorway on the west side. This doorway is now blocked by rocks.
Most archaeologists think it was an early Christian building. They believe it was likely rebuilt or changed in the 12th and 15th centuries. It probably replaced an even older church, maybe one made of wood. This first church might have been built by a person named "Cronan" in the 7th century. This could have been Saint Cronan of Roscrea or Cronan Mochua.
Ancient Building Clues
Some parts of the church show how old it is. These include the large, rough stone blocks used in some walls. There's also an old doorway with sides that slope inwards. A small window in the west wall is another ancient feature.
Parts of an older building, like a piece of a doorway, might have been reused. These were likely put into the church when it was rebuilt in the 12th century. Temple Cronan was a popular place for pilgrimages during that time. The church was probably updated again in the 15th century. You can see this in the pointed Gothic arch of the main door.
No digging has been done at Temple Cronan. This means much of its history is still a mystery.
What Temple Cronan Looks Like
The old monastery site includes the church or chapel itself. It also has two special tomb shrines and a holy well. There's a boundary wall and a large stone cross. You can also see the remains of other buildings.
The Church Building
The main church is a single room. It is about 6.6 meters long and 3.9 meters wide. The high, sloped roof has fallen down over time. However, the side walls and the triangular end walls are still standing. The lower parts of the walls are made from large limestone blocks.
The first door on the west side of the church is now blocked. The way to enter the church today is through a door on the north wall. This door was probably built in the 15th century. It has a carved stone head above it.
You can also see six or seven other carved stone heads. These show human and animal faces. They are placed in different spots along the wall as decoration. Some of them might not be in their original places.
Other Important Features
To the north of the church are the ruins of other buildings. These were likely used for everyday tasks by the monks. There's also a quarry nearby. This is where the stone for Temple Cronan probably came from.
In the northwest corner, you can find parts of a tall stone high cross. This cross and its base likely marked the edge of the Temple Cronan grounds.
On the east side of the church are two tomb shrines. These are made of two stone slabs. They were probably built in the 12th century. Pilgrims visiting Temple Cronan might have traveled to see these shrines.
About 100 meters south of the site is a holy well. It is at the bottom of a small cliff. This well is called Tobar Chronain. It was most likely named after Saint Cronan.
