Drumacoo

Drumacoo is a medieval ecclesiastical site and National Monument located in County Galway, Ireland.^[1]

Drumacoo

Droim Mucú
south doorway
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other names	Druim-muccado; Droma-Mucada
Established	6th century AD
Diocese	Kilmacduagh
People
Founder	Sárnait
Architecture
Status	ruined
Style	Late Gothic
Site
Location	Drumacoo, Ballinderreen, County Galway
Coordinates	53.198723°N 8.904724°W / 53.198723; -8.904724
Visible remains	church, holy well
Public access	yes
National monument of Ireland
Official name	Drumacoo
Reference no.	254

Location

Drumacoo is located 1.5 km (0.93 mi) north of Ballinderreen, to the east of Galway Bay.

History

The monastic settlement at Drumacoo was founded in the 6th century by Sárnait (Sourney, Sairnait, Surney, Sorney), a female saint and associate of Colman mac Duagh. She was buried here at the site known as St. Sourney's Bed.^[2]

Drumacoo was located in the ancient kingdom of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne.^[3]

The original stone parish church had a flat-headed west doorway and was built of large stones.^[4] It was extended eastwards in the 13th century AD and the finely carved south doorway was added.^[5]

According to the Annals of Loch Cé, in 1232, "Fachtna Ó hAllgaith, comarb of Druim-mucadha, and official of Uí-Fiachrach; keeper of a house of hospitality for guests and invalids; and the promoter of learning and improver of country and land, in hoc anno quievit." (in this year rested, i.e. died)^[6][7]

In 1830, the Gothic Revival mausoleum of the St George family was built onto the stone church.^[8][9][10]

Ruins and monuments

Holy well linked to St. Sárnait.

Doorway

A stone church with nearby a holy well and St. Sourney's Bush, a rag bush.^[11]