Temple Lake was the centre of early Island life. St Colman moved to
Inisboffin in the seventh century after a disagreement with the
established Church over the dating of Easter. He built a monastery
on the site of the more modern one.
The lake beside the graveyard was stocked with fish by the
monks, and was a source of freshwater. The church at the site today
dates from the thirteenth century.
There is a large billaun or hollowed out stone inside the ruin
which dates from the earliest church settlement.
Watch out for the nettles – the grass is allowed to grow long in
the graveyard so as not to interfere with the nesting habits of the
corncrake.
Stage 1 At the posted coordinates, have a look around and find
Peter Cunnane's age when he passed away in 1946. Let this number be
xy.
Final Stage N53° 3y.x3(x-y) W10° 11.(y-2)y5
After finding the cache, it is well worth taking the route down
the other side of the hill.
The remains of a settlement dating from famine times can be seen
just over the wall at
N53° 36.652 W10° 11.125
You can then make your way across Duach beach, and back onto the
main road at
N53° 37.046 W10° 10.989
Turn left at this point and you will arrive back at the
church.