Manchan founded this monastic site. He died of the plague in 664 AD aged 32. The ruins of the medieval church can be seen and behind the church is the holy well and holy tree.
These have been visited for centuries and there is still a strong tradition of visiting especially on Fridays. An amazing 12th century shrine from Lemonaghan is on display in nearby Boher – don’t miss it!
A togher (stone lined causeway) connects the graveyard with St Mella’s Cell, a rectangular medieval enclosure containing a single oratory. St Mella was the mother of St Manchan.
There are two Bullaun stones one at the holy well and one in the island at the road junction. Bullaun stones are recognisable as cup-shaped hollows in stone that are often associated with early Christian sites.
Lemonaghan_The Coming of Christianity (size 1.3MB)