Temple Cronan

Temple Cronan ( Irish: Teampall Chrónáin ) is a dedicated to St. Cronan of Roscrea or Tuamgraney Church. It is located in the Burren in County Clare, and is not to be confused with St. Cronan 's Church in Tuamgraney.

About the history of the Church there is no historical evidence. Because of their small size and their location, it is considered possible that she was an oratorio or a hermitage. For this too there is no evidence, as the population structure of the Middle Ages in the Burren is unknown.

The small church of simple rectangular shape measuring seven by four meters, making it bigger and probably younger than corresponding churches on the Aran Islands. Two Romanesque sculpted corbels in the walls suggest the 12th century, the lintel above the original entrance in the west gable, however, to an earlier date. Ended its function when it was built into the north wall. As with many early medieval churches a new entrance was added in the 15th century. The narrow window eastern rounded on the outside above, but has a square inner soffit.

Near the church there are two stone remains: One of these early, tent-shaped shrines is believed to be the burial place of St. Cronan. The presence of the two shrines indicates a predecessor of the 12th century church.

The base and the shaft of a cross located north- west of the church at the nearby farmhouse. Such Termon crosses normally marked the frontier of the Papal State. Other crosses which were near the Temple Cronan once, are now destroyed.

In the vicinity of Temple Cronan is surrounded by upright stone altars, called Büßerstationen, a holy spring ( Tobar Chrónáin ). Public bodies of worship are found mainly in the Burren and the Aran Islands.