Gougane Barra Church
Gougane Barra Church
5
Points of Interest & LandmarksReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
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5.0
118 reviews
Excellent
105
Very good
12
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Maria & Phil Greaves
Clonmel, Ireland570 contributions
May 2019
We saw this Church so many times we thought when we saw it in reality it would come as no surprise to us, but it did. The peacefulness & calm was lovely. The Church was a beautiful place to sit and contemplate. We took pictures that we had seen so many times before but it really does make a difference when you are behind the lens.
Written 12 October 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.
Gene C
Waterford, Ireland31 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
So many online/social media images today are altered and enhanced to make them (and the people in them LOL) look extraordinary. St. Finbarr's church on the lake at Gougane Barra is real and fantastic. It's a tiny church as part of a pilgrimage destination and has ruins of old churches on the grounds. Unfortunately, it has become very popular for weddings because...... you guessed it.... because it makes great photos for social media. A must see, in beautiful surroundings, but choose your route there carefully as some approach roads are very narrow.
Written 28 August 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.
Kevin B
Seattle, WA70 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
One of the most serene, beautiful places in Ireland. It is completely off the beaten track, but SO worth it. The surrounding area has absolutely stunning scenery, but the star of the show is St. Finbarr's Oratory. It is an incredibly beautiful, tiny church that rests in the middle of a small island. The inside of the church is magnificent, but you will find yourself wanting to take pictures of the outside from all angles to catch it's beauty against the stunning backdrop. I can't wait to get back here.
Written 17 March 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.
stubuffalo
Buffalo, NY1 contribution
Dec 2021 • Couples
We were driving around Ireland in 2012 and while hanging with the locals at a pub one night a gentleman told us to go see this church. We never heard of it but we decided to go check it out. Driving through the countryside on narrow windy roads, passing farms, animals, beautiful stone walls pretty much felt like what experiencing Ireland should be all about. We reached the church and it breathtaking. The surrounding views around this old church were magnificent. It was November & there absolutely nobody else there except us. Was a little cold and misty but that added to the mystique of it. Very cool history. A hidden gem. I appreciate that gentleman that told us to go. Mingling with the locals is a cool way to explore any place that you want to learn about. Highly recommended.
Written 15 December 2021
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.
MaryCork
Cork, Ireland548 contributions
Jun 2021
No matter how many times we see this church, we marvel at it every time. Nestled in the lake, it is a wonder.
Written 8 June 2021
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.
Jessica F
County Cork, Ireland14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Beautiful church with a stunning backdrop. Definitely worth a visit. There is a hotel in the area, lots of picnic benches and very clean public toilets.
Written 6 January 2020
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.
angeleyes27
Brigantine, NJ5,334 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
This church is a popular place for wedding photography and it is easy to see why. The church inside is very small and there is a graveyard behind it with various tombs and memorials. Gougane Barra means rock of Barra, named by St Finbarr who built a monastery nearby during the 6th century. When Ireland had the Penal Laws, this church's remote location made it a safe favorite to celebrate Roman Catholic Mass. St Finbarr felt that he could commune with God here. It is on a small island. Gougane Barra hotel is close here for food. We had to park there since parking is limited near the church. When a wedding is taking place here, it is off limits to visitors.
Written 11 February 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.
Patricia M
Ormstown, Canada163 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
This is one of the most peaceful, tranquil, serene places in Ireland. To walk around this secluded holy place is to feel completely at ease in the universe. It is not surprising that St. Finbarr settled here so many centuries ago. This is a place to return to in dreams for years. It is magical, mystical and thoroughly unforgettable.
Written 10 January 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.
pat d
Killarney, Ireland73 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Historic small church on beautiful Gougane Barra Lake ...peaceful, spiritual, unique, long history to church and graveyard
Written 10 September 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.
Sheila Villa
Oregon Coast, OR334 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
It does exist and it’s even more amazing in person!!!!!! There it sits, just next to the water- amazing as can be. The picture perfect spot. You can go in the Church, the door is unlocked. I went in, lit a candle and said a prayer.....
Written 4 December 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.
Can any one help me please coming home to county kerry for few days from newcastle to see my mum is would love to take her here as she was there years ago with my dad just wondering distance from county kerry to goungane barra church and does it have a postcode for sat navigation to get there would be grateful if some one can help regarding this as I know my mum would love to see it again
Written 6 August 2019
Hi Need to know where you are travelling from from Killarney to Macroom it is about 46 km
Written 7 August 2019
How do I contact The Oratory at Gougane Barra, to investigate the possibility of using the Oratory as the location for a Wedding ?
Written 18 March 2019
Do they still have Mass at the church?
Written 13 April 2016
only on special occasions, it's primarily used for weddings but not for regular mass
Written 10 September 2016
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