Local History

This is what remains of a once magnificent church, built 750 years ago, by the Order of Premontre. This, the west gable, is still remarkably perfect. It displays a pointed window over a deformed and mutilated doorway.

The church must have been a fine example of its kind.

Fragments of stone slabs, displaying elaborate carvings, are strewn about the surrounding graveyard. Tradition tells us that Cathal O'Reilly and many of his descendants are buried here, and that splendid monuments once marked their graves.

The cemetery at Trinity Island is surrounded by a circular fosse, planted with tall white thorns, above the west gable, terminating in its belfry. This fosse served a twofold purpose. Its bank prevented the waters of the lake from extending across the boundary at high-water level, and so threatening the precincts with flooding, whilst its hedge also afforded shelter to the monks from the cold winter winds blowing in from the lake.