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Western Ireland
Province of Connacht
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Aran Islands
Inishmore
Places to visit in Inishmore
Na Seacht Teampaill (The Seven Churches)
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Na Seacht Teampaill (The Seven Churches)

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See all things to do
Na Seacht Teampaill (The Seven Churches)
4
#5 of 12 things to do in Inishmore
Historic SitesAncient RuinsHistoric Walking AreasReligious Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
164 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
67
Average
35
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Jim W
Schonaich, Germany2,839 contributions
Outstanding Ruins Of An Active Gravesight
Jul 2023 • Couples
When visiting Inishmore, this is one of the stops people visit. Without a guide, you might not know what you are looking at unless you have done some research beforehand. My wife and I were on a tour so we had a guide who explained what we were seeing. Tempull Breccain (Church of Brecan), commonly called the Seven Churches of Aran, is a complex of churches and other buildings dedicated to the 5th-century Saint Brecan, once a popular destination for pilgrims. Seven Churches is one of the biggest monastic foundations and centres of pilgrimage along the west coast of Ireland. Brecan is believed to have come here in the earliest period from Kilbrecan near Quin in County Clare. Tradition on the island has it that his foundation rivalled St Enda’s foundation in the east of the island. Indeed the two saints are held to have eventually agreed to divide the island between them. Although termed ‘the seven churches,’ there are in fact only two churches with a number of domestic buildings. The title seven is possibly an allusion to the pilgrimage circuit of Rome which incorporated seven churches. This is still an active graveyard, but there are strict rules on who can be buried here. The guide explained it, but I do not recall all the details. Of course, one had to be born here; however, that were many other limitations. Suffice it to say, there are only a dozen or so inhabitants left on the island who qualify. They are all in their 80s.
Written 20 August 2023
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.
Betsy P
73 contributions
Great ruins
May 2023
Lots of interesting spots here. There aren't seven churches; just the ruins of a couple. guide said the seven refers to the original monks who established the site.
Written 29 May 2023
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.
Scotlandmac
Glasgow, UK13,454 contributions
Of reasonable interest on a tour of Inishmor but not a must
May 2023
Attractive remains of two churches which we stopped off at as part of our cycle from Kilronan and after visiting Dun Aonghosa.
Nothing amazing as such, but a bucolic setting for the lovely ruins down a short, slightly steep road.
Written 22 May 2023
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.
Lisa B
Dublin, Ireland517 contributions
Interesting
Jul 2021 • Friends
Such a beautiful area to walk around. Our guide was great, he was saying there are actually only two churches here and the rest were the buildings where the monks would live.

The ground here isn't that deep so they don't bury people here anymore unless the family really want it.

Gorgeous sea views and horses and donkeys all around.
Written 25 July 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.
Joanyxxx
Dublin, Ireland2 contributions
A nice little stop off
Sep 2020
A nice little stop off on your way to Din Aonughusa, set near the ocean, ruins of 7 churches. Reccomend visiting for a little break on your route.
Written 12 September 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.
LotusExplorerTravels
Streamwood, IL1,202 contributions
Old Churches and Graveyard
May 2019
This was the second stop on our tour were we were able to see the ruins of churches and walk through the graveyard. It was interesting to see the old stone structures of the churches and the gravestones.
Written 18 February 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.
David B
West Jefferson, NC4,943 contributions
A Place Of Reverance and Beauty
Sep 2019
We were part of a tour group that came over to visit Inis Mor. Our first stop on the island was at Na Seacht dTeampaill (The Seven Churches). These amazing ruins are situated near the village of Eoghanacht in the western part of the island. This site consists, despite the name, of two churches. One was started in the 8th century and the other is from the 15th Century. The other buildings were the dwellings of the monks. There is also a huge cemetery that is part of the site that contains a fragment of stone for St. Breacan. There are a number of other gravestones are found at the site. Four inscribed stone pillars, the oldest on the site, stand out marking a number of graves behind them. It is an amazing site and very peaceful. Everyone should visit here.
Written 4 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.
Yvonne W
64 contributions
A stop on our tour
Aug 2019 • Couples
We got one of the hop on hop off buses from the port and this was our first stop.
Nice to see would like to know more about this attraction, as our driver didn't tell us much
Written 28 August 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.
Cannuck_traveller
Victoria, Canada39 contributions
Visit to the seven churches
Jul 2019 • Family
We cycled here after Dun Angus and were impressed with this site. Location is also very beautiful, worth the extra mile of cycling.
Written 10 July 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.
Bill V
Portland, OR288 contributions
interesting church ruins
Jun 2019 • Friends
interesting ruins of what was once site of 7 distinct churches. As ruins go it was interesting to roam around in and photograph
Written 2 July 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.
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