ST. FEICHÍNS CHURCH

In the early 7th century, St Feichín founded a monastic settlement on Omey Island near Claddaghduff. Teampaill Féichín or Feichin’s Church as it is otherwise known, is believed to have been built in a hollow to protect it from raiders and the stormy prevailing winds from the sea. There was also an outpost positioned on the nearby High Island.

In the 9th century a substantial monastic settlement existed around the church. Unfortunately the settlement on the island suffered greatly by the famine and later fell to ruins. Traces of ruined houses can be seen on the ground and in the sand cliffs around the church.

In recent decades, the ruins of St Feichin’s Church were excavated from the moving sand of Omey.