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Aughagower is said to have been visited by St. Patrick, on his journey to Croagh Patrick. Aughagower lies mid-way along Tóchar Phádraig, formerly a part of the royal processional route from Croaghan (the ancient capital of Connaught), and later an important pilgrimage route from Ballintubber Abbey to Croagh Patrick. St Patrick is said to have founded the monastery here and made St. Senach bishop. The ruins of a medieval church adjoins the graveyard of the town's modern religious institution. It has a well preserved tenth century round tower, with the exception of its topmost section and capstone. The tower was built between 973 and 1013. According to legend, the capstone was struck by lightning, and landed half a mile away on the hill of Tavenish. A local woman is said to have carried the heavy cap stone in her apron to the church where it still remains today.
Behind the church, to the northeast, there are two holy wells, now dried up. Along the front of the wall of the holy well across from the bar there is a very small Sheela na Gig embedded into the stonework. Because it is so tiny (10cm x 10cm) and due to the rough stone and arrangement of lichen growth, it is difficult to spot.
More about Round Towers you will find HERE.
More about Monastic Sites in Ireland you will find HERE.
Located
6km southeast of Westport
Admission
Free
Useful links
irishantiquities.bravehost.com
www.roundtowers.org
en.wikipedia.org
www.travels-in-time.net
megalithomania.com
www.monasette.com
Attractions nearby
Ashford Castle Hotel within 28.2 km
Balla Round Tower within 22.4 km
Ballinrobe Augustinian Friary / Abbey within 22.2 km
Ballintubber / Ballintobar / Ballintober Augustinian Abbey within 12 km
Ballykine Castle Ruins within 24.9 km
Burriscarra Carmelite Augustinian Abbey / Priory, Castlecarra within 14.9 km
Burrishoole Dominican Abbey / Friary within 16.5 km
Cong Augustinian Abbey / Priory within 27.7 km
Devilsmother Mountain within 21.5 km
Inishmaine Augustinian Abbey / Nunnery within 22.3 km
Murrisk Augustinian Friary / Abbey within 11.7 km
Rockfleet / Carrickahowley Castle within 18.1 km
Rosturk Castle within 22.2 km
Strade / Straide Friary, Franciscan, Dominican within 28.1 km
Turlough Round Tower and Church Ruins within 21.8 km
Hostels
Abbeywood House Hostel, Westport within 5.7 km
Cong Hostel, Caravan and Camping Park within 28.1 km
Old Mill Holiday Hostel, Westport within 5.6 km
Sleepzone Connemara Hostel and Camping within 28.2 km
Traenlaur Lodge Hostel within 21.8 km
C and C Parks
Carrowkeel Caravan and Camping Park within 24.4 km
Lough Lannagh Caravan Park, Castlebar within 13.8 km
Westport House, Gardens, Adventure Park and Caravan/Camping within 6.2 km
