| Derrynaflan Church | |
| Native Name: | Teampall Dhoire na bhFlann |
| Native Language: | ga |
| Coordinates: | 52.5973°N -7.7338°W |
| Location: | Lurgoe, Littleton Bog, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Built: | 11th–13th century AD |
| Elevation: | 139m (456feet) |
| Architecture: | Romanesque, Gothic |
| Type: | church |
| Designation1: | National Monument of Ireland |
| Designation1 Offname: | Derrynaflan Church |
| Designation1 Number: | 335 |
Derrynaflan Church is a Medieval church and National Monument located in County Tipperary, Ireland.[1] [2] [3]
Derrynaflan Church is located on an "island" in Littleton bog, located south of Littleton.[4]
The monastery at Derrynaflan ("Oak grove of the Flanns"; formerly Daire Eidnech, "ivied oak grove") was founded by Ruadhán of Lorrha in the 6th century AD. It came under the patronage of the King-Bishops of Cashel. It was an important culdee centre, but went into decline after Fedelmid mac Crimthainn died in AD 846. Only the enclosure survives.
The surviving stone church is a pre-Norman cell with a chancel later added.
A Franciscan community existed at Derrynaflan between 1676 and 1717.
It is famous as the discovery site of the Derrynaflan Hoard of gold and silver objects of the 8th–9th century.[5] [6] [7]
A stone slab found on the site (now in the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology) is inscribed OR DOAN MAIN DVBSCVLL, "a prayer for the soul of Dubscuile."[8]
A pre-Norman single-celled church without antae. The east, north and south walls of the chancel with five windows and the foundations of the nave survive.
There is also a ring barrow and medieval cemetery. To the northeast is a burial site, supposedly that of the legendary Gobán Saor.[9]