44 THE IRISH ARAN. 
erected about the end of the seventeenth century: making 
Killeaney a veritable museum of antiquities. 
The next ruin to which I shall refer (Plate V., fig. ro) is 
situated in the private grounds of Mr. Johnstone of Kilmurvey, 
and is another remarkable example of the cyclopean masonry of 
the sixth century, some of the stones being ro feet long and 20 
inches thick. The doorway is shaped like that of an Egyptian 
tomb, and certain of the windows are of extreme antiquity, with 
lintels formed by two leaning stones. This church is dedicated to 
St. Colman McDuagh, who founded the diocese of Kilmacduagh, 
and is also placed among the ruins of monastic buildings. The 
view of the interior shows work of a much later date, as also do 
some of the windows. 
I will not attempt a description of many of the other churches, 
but I must refer ina few words to another ancient Irish peculiarity, 
viz., the tendency to group churches together. In Aran there is 
the ruin of a group of seven churches all built in a litle rocky 
glen, and within the walls of a small field, with which are also 
intermingled monastic ruins. I may say that this is not the only 
place in Ireland where ‘seven churches are built together. The 
founder of this group was St. Breccan, the grandson of Carthan 
Finn, the first king of Thomond, who was baptized by St. Patrick 
himself. About ninety years ago his grave was opened, and in it 
was found a well-shaped skull, supposed to be that of the 
saint, and which was carefully reburied. The ruins of Teampul 
Breccan (Plate VI., fig. 11) now consist of chancel and nave, the 
chancel being of much more modern date, possibly twelfth century 
work, the chancel arch and lancet window being very fine pieces 
of masonry, while the nave is built in a ruder manner with 
cyclopean windows. Here may also be seen a finely engraved 
terminal cross, various inscribed stones, one marked ‘“ VII 
Roman,” and near them are the well and bed of St. Breccan, two — 
richly carved crosses which have been broken and put together 
again, on one of which is a Crucifixion, and on the other the 
knots and interlaced work of the usual Irish type, and another 
, holy well to the north of the ruins. 
