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Carran
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Carran Medieval Church
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Carran Medieval Church

See all things to do
See all things to do
Carran Medieval Church
4.5
11 reviews
#4 of 5 things to do in Carran
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
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4.5
11 reviews
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HowlnBubba
Key Largo, FL1,449 contributions
Unique in one respect.
Sep 2019
This 15th century church, a reconstruction of a 13th century church, is unusual in having identifiable remains of a belfry. It is arguably unique in that it shows evidence of a second-story residence. There is evidence to support the belief that the upper story also had a defensive purpose, possibly to protect from marauders.
And like most of the fascinating ruins in Ireland, it's free! It doesn't have interpretive signage, so preliminary Internet research is a good idea.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trista Anderson
Sudbury, Canada393 contributions
Neat stop while driving through the countryside
Oct 2018 • Couples
We stopped on the side of the road when we saw this beautiful old church. The gates were not open but there is a small space beside the gates that you can squeeze through.

The church itself is pretty well preserved and it is quite beautiful with moss and vines growing through the crevasses of the old stones.

There are plaques located on the property to give visitors a brief history of the building which is great because you’ll likely be the only one there.
Written 3 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian
Jacksonville, FL223 contributions
A place to stop while Road Tripping
Apr 2018 • Family
It's a ruined church on the side of the road. The history and stories behind these churches are fascinating. They served as the center of the village and village life a long time ago. These ruins are a nice place to stop and stretch your legs and marvel that people built these churches so long ago.
Written 11 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angie8_12
Massachusetts179 contributions
A road-trip stop
Jul 2018 • Couples
We saw this ruined church on the side of the road and just stopped. There is no great signage or website or any PR for this place, and no office or admission or anything. It's just a ruined medieval church littered with graves. It's hard to find the medieval graves since modern ones have taken over -- the inside as well as the outside church yard.

After a short dirt driveway, there is parking for about five cars. This is located right up against the coast. Gorgeous church in a gorgeous location.
Written 17 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhonda H
364 contributions
For the off-the-beaten path tourist
May 2018 • Couples
We were on our way to another place when we stumbled on this ruin. We had a funny experience wanting to get in and not knowing if the fencing had active electricity. We were so silly sliding under the fence when you can get in, easily in front, haha. The poor cows just looked on at my navigating. 🤣

I took a photo of the information so that you can decide if you want to stop and check it out. It's amazing how many ruins are in Ireland. This one has an interior cemetery - a local who spoke Gaelic said that there were layers of buried people there, accumulating through the hundreds of years.
Written 4 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JKorW
Wixom267 contributions
An Impulse Stop
Sep 2017
Saw the ruins of this church just off the road in the Burren and turned around to check it out. Didn't go inside since the cattle were in the field, but views from the little path (where one can park off the road) were worth the stop.
Written 16 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FuzzyCA
Martinez, CA12 contributions
Templecronin -- 12th C church on site of 7th C church
Jun 2017 • Couples
Marked on some of our Burren maps as Templecronin, this fine 12th C ruin is well off the beaten track, barely marked and not visible from the road; but it was one of our favorite stops in the Burren. There are odd human and animal heads carved in stone mounted in the walls. There is an ancient door blocked up nearly to the top and replaced in the 15th C (so I've read), and a much finer new doorway in the North wall. There are two 'shrines' outside that are much older than the current church, and one is supposed to be the site of St. Cronin's burial or relics -- which St. Cronin isn't clear. There are also other burial grounds nearby, and the whole thing is reached by climbing over stone walls using a stile of steps built right into the wall. There is a marked loop-walk through the area that we didn't try, but looks beautiful.

There is very little signage, so it might be helpful to read about first, as one of the 'shrines' is outside the wall, and we didn't see it.
Written 14 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jillian S
Maniago, Italy137 contributions
Really fascinating
Dec 2016 • Couples
We just happened to drive past this church as the sun was setting. It caught my eye, we turned around and went back. It was so nice to be able to just walk out there and explore it for ourselves. It's so old and really beautiful. We looked around, took plenty of pictures and really enjoyed it. Highly recommend.
Written 28 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
auseabdelhaq
7 contributions
Charming little church!
May 2016 • Couples
The best way to describe the church is hauntingly beautiful. There is no parking, but that's absolutely fine because this is the furthest thing imaginable from a tourist trap - just park on the side of the road and go explore! The building itself is magnificently preserved, and its location is simply gorgeous. Honestly, the 20 minutes we spent exploring the headstones and architecture might have been the best in Clare! 10/10 would recommend to a friend.
Written 10 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damian120
Galway, Ireland6,130 contributions
One of many in the Burren
May 2015 • Friends
One of the better preserved 12th Century Burren Churches. It's clearly visible from the road. Some wonderful views from the side of the church.
Written 20 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Carran Medieval Church

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