This tiny island lies beside a shallow brackish coastal lagoon separated from the sea by a sand-and-shingle barrier. Local tradition associates a sixth-century Christian foundation with St Abban, a nephew of St Ibar. The site has a long history of Christian pilgrimage.
Today, outdoor seating is arranged near an altar by the ruins of a medieval tower house, traditionally dated to 1237. The annual pilgrimage season runs from 15 August to 8 September and includes a programme of services; outdoor events are weather permitting.
Ringforts and other archaeological remains show a long history of settlement in the surrounding area. Accounts of pre-Christian worship and female druids at Our Lady’s Island form part of local tradition and interpretation rather than settled archaeological fact. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway.
Local customs associated with the cemetery and nearby hawthorn trees have also been described in parish histories, but their precise origins are uncertain.
Our Lady’s Island is a must see attraction, contact us now to organise your visit on your tours of Ireland.
