Inis Cealtra

Inis Cealtra, known in English as Holy Island, derives its name from Old Irish inis (island) and cealtair (church), literally meaning "island of churches" or "island of monastic cells." The island sits off the western shore of Lough Derg in County Clare and ranks among Ireland's most significant monastic sites. The earliest recorded settlement dates to circa AD 440-500, when the anchorite Mac ...