Inchagoill Island is a small island on Lough Corrib in Co. Galway. Inchagoill comes from the Irish ‘Inis an Ghaill‘, meaning ‘Island of the Stranger’. This special island is home to a number of ancient monastic ruins, some of which date back to the 5th century. Teampall na Naoimh (Church of the Saints) and St. Patrick’s Church are two ruined churches on the island. Teampall na Naoimh dates back to 1180 and is believed to have been built by the Augustinian monks of Cong Abbey to pray and meditate in peace and quiet. The church is built of sandstone, and its decorative doorways reflect at least three different European cultures. The archway of the doorway is Romanesque in style, and it depicts the ten heads of the ten saints of Lough Corrib. On the outer and inner tiers of the doorway, at shoulder height, are heads with platted beards, believed to be of Greek influence, while the centre tier displays carvings of French design. Just inside the doorway on the right-hand side is a Byzantine cross carved out on the wall.
The stone of Lugnad and St.Patrick’s church are situated quite close to each other. The 5th century inscription on the stone, which is still legible today, reads “Lia Lugnaedon Macc Limenueh”. This is written in old Gaelic and translates as “The standing stone of Lugnad Son of Limanin”. It is believed that Limanin was St. Patrick’s sister, making Lugnad St. Patrick’s nephew. It is also believed that St. Patrick and his nephew (who was also his navigator) came to Cong in the middle of the 5th Century to spread the Christian faith. Local lore states that the Pagan druids, who were very powerful people at the time, had St. Patrick and his nephew banished to Inchagoill Island. While building their church, Lugnad died and was buried on the island. It is interesting to note that the stone has the shape of a boat’s rudder, tying in with the theory that Lugnad was St. Patrick’s navigator. Many archaeologists claim that this inscription is the oldest Christian inscription in Europe apart from those found in the Catacombs of Rome.
To visit Inchagoill Island, check out the Corrib Cruises website. If you take the boat to the island let me know! I’d love to know what you think of it.
marteenlane.com 
This sounds like a real adventure! I haven’t been to Ireland yet but hope to get there in the next year. My Dad’s side of the family are all from Ireland (previous generations) so I feel a special connection to the country. I will definitely check this out when I am there. Thanks!
Pretty cool – but is is possible to stay overnight? You mentioned the boat ride takes you there and let you roam around for 40 minutes – what if you wanted to stay longer? Are there other means of getting here or other tour companies?
What an interesting post! I’d never even heard of Inchagoill Island, despite spending nearly 6 months in Galway. I’ll have to go back and visit one day!
I always get the goosebumps while walking around places like this. So much history surrounds you and you are mesmerised to be a part of it. I bet learning Irish is quite hard judging by the names of these places.. Haha. Lovely post, thanks!
It’s just fascinating! Haha don’t get me started on the Irish language and how it’s taught here! You’re welcome 😊
It’s supposed to be the most famous of the islands on Lough Corrib but I don’t believe that. Maybe well-known with the locals and archaeologists who are interested in the stone but that would be it 😊 What did you think of Galway City?
No I’m afraid not as the island is owned by the state and the monuments are protected. But if you wanted to stay longer on the island you can hire a boat and a local guide to show you around 😊 While Corrib Cruises are the main tour company for the island, Derry Quay Lodge B&B mention on their website that they take people on a tour of the island if requested.
How cool you have some Irish in you 😊 Do Chantell! You’re welcome 😊
Haha, start, please! I am curious! 😛
Haha I was a clueless student back in the day…I LOVE Galway!! One of the best six months I’ve ever spent abroad!
This is so interesting! I had no idea that this was the oldest Christian inscription in Europe. It is great that you can do this on a short day trip rather than having to stay for days!
I haven’t been to Ireland, but this sounds like an interesting place to visit. Hopefully the ride is smooth, since I get sea sick very easily.
What amazing history! So cool to see all the threads from Europe tying together. Also the ruins are beautiful, so that helps. What a great place to visit, I really wish I could!
Looks like a great day trip
This is fantastic! I loved the pictures. I’ve always been fascinated by the history of Europe and I love getting a glimpse into the way people of the past lived. I also liked how you show how to get there.
Wow, what a great trip idea! Most people think of the typical tourist sites but this sounds awesome for someone who loves culture and history like me…I’ll keep this in mind for a future trip!
Did not know that about Ireland. Cool read and pics 🙂
Amazing pictures, I’d love to visit Ireland some day!
Amazing pictures, I’d love to visit Ireland one day!
I love exploring islands — we have so many in Korea. I think I need to make it to Ireland someday!! The ruins look really interesting.
This sounds amazing! I love that you gave the history of the place, it makes it come to life.
I haven’t yet made it to Ireland but the history and raw scenery is fascinating!
I’m obsessed with ruins. The first ruin I ever saw was in Glendalough, Ireland. I would love to go back!
I’m obsessed with ruins. The first ruins that I visited was in Glendalough, Ireland. Have you ever been?
Looks awesome! I’m headed to Ireland in September and hoping to see ruins just like this! Thanks for sharing!
One of my fave ways to experience a new culture is to visit their ruins. Who wouldn’t like open-air museums? Will add this one to list when I’m in Ireland!
TheWanderlusteur.com
This sounds like a lovely trip! I’m definitely considering it. I only have five days though so I’m going to need to get really organized to make sure I waste no time!!
Ireland always intrigues me, especially how far and wide the architectural influences come from! Byzantine! That’s quite a ways away! Looks like you had a great time 🙂
Wow, this is so interesting. I don’t know much about St. Patrick, so this is very cool to me. My husband would absolutely love this; he loves history so much. We’re going to Ireland next year – maybe we’ll visit Inchagoill Island!
Sounds like an adventure! I’m hoping to get to Ireland one day soon 🙂
I hope you get here one day soon too!
He’s a bit of a mysterious figure as some historians and archaeologists claim he never existed. Oh I hope you’ll enjoy your time here in Ireland when you do visit 😊
Indeed! I had a great time, I should more activities and trips that are local to me 😊
If you do decide to visit the island, pop in and say hello to me in The Quiet Man Museum in Cong. The museum is only a few minutes drive from where you get the boat to go to the island. Oh I know, 5 days isn’t enough to see everything! You’ll have to come back again 😊
Mine too! I had never thought about it before but ruins are like open-air museums 😊
I hope you enjoy your time here in Ireland when you visit 😊
Being from Ireland I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been to Glendalough. I’m not sure if I’ll get the chance to before I move to Canada but I’ve heard that it’s amazing and I’ve seen pics and it does look spectacular 😊
I hope you make it here soon to experience the history and scenery 😊
Thank you Anshula 😊 As a tour guide and a Heritage Studies graduate, the history of a place is important to me and as you said it makes a place come to life 😊
We have quite a few islands off the west coast of Ireland. Yes you do need to make it to Ireland someday 😊
Thank you 😊 This is local to me and we tend to forget about what’s on our own doorstep. As a tour guide I always enjoy trips like this. Do! 😊
Thanks Gina 😊 European history is so vast and goes back a long way.
The day I was out it was smooth, but if the weather is too bad and the lake too choppy Corrib Cruises won’t take people out on the boat.
Well that’s what some archaeologists claim. It is, there’s not much else to see on the island except for the ruins.
I’m so glad! I only live a 40 minute drive from Galway city and love visiting it 😊
Don’t feel ashamed – there are so many things that I failed to do yet in NYC and I’m a New Yorker! How exciting – you are moving to Canada!
I was lucky enough to perform in Fordham University in the Bronx in 2011. I loved every second of NYC! Yes it’s very exciting! A new country, a new city 😊
Oh nice- what kind of performance?
I was with a gospel choir at the time so we were invited over to sing in the chapel of Fordham University. And it was St. Patrick’s week so we got to walk down 5th Avenue in the parade 😊
I love those old designs and inscriptions! I’ve been very interested in Irish monasteries since seeing The Secret of Kells, of course. County Galway is number one on my list of places in Ireland I’d like to visit the next time I go, so I’ll remember this.
Love exploring little islands like this one. It’s been so long since I visited Ireland, and it was only for such a short period of time. Will have to go back for sure!
You’ll always be welcome Holly! ☺
Well you’ll love Cong Abbey then Stella, which is only a few minutes drive from the piers where you get the boat to the island☺
This is great! Looks like a fascinating place to visit!
This sounds like a very worthwhile tour and an important part of Irish history. I wish I had known about this when I backpacked through Ireland years ago. If I get a chance to go back, I’m putting this on my list.
there’s something beautiful about history, and we are so fortunate to see these types of relics sustain itself throughout time. i hope you and an incredible time and hope you go back.
I couldn’t have put it better myself. There is something beautiful about history and it’s wonderful to see these old relics preserved 😊
Second oldest inscription is quite the title to hold. I’m not always one for museums, but I love to see and visit historical sites as they were (or what remains). There is definitely a quality that can’t be put into words with these ancient sites.
What an amazing place. I love to see and hear about the little nooks and crannies of the world that we might otherwise overlook in their travels. Now I want to go and see this for myself.
I love excavation sites. Here you always get so interesting impressions of a culture. The ruins look very interesting. I think I’d like to go there too …
Susanne
I can honestly say I have never heard of this place but I am absolutely intrigued by it’s rich sense of history. The ruins are beautiful and the bit of mystery surrounding the place makes me want to know more!
Ireland really does have a crazy number of old monasteries/ruins to visit.
I love reading your posts about Ireland, I think it’s important to know the history about the places you’re visiting – it makes them even more incredible.
The carvings are so neat! It looks like a lovely place, and very quiet.
I love going to Ireland but to be honest, I have never head of Inchagoill Island until now and I have to say it has now intrigued me. What an interesting and cute place. I’m huge fan of ancient monastic ruins so this will definitely be on my list for next time that I am that way
It isn’t a very well known spot unless you’re a local. It’s well worth visiting 😊
Thank you Josh. That’s the reason I write. I love my country and want to share that with others 😊
I’ve never heard of this place before (not that I’m some kind of Ireland expert 🙂 ) – what a cool bit of history! We keep adding stops and activities to an as-yet unbooked “Irish roadtrip” so I’ll have to keep this one in mind!