Temple Breccan Stone 300 BCE

(November 28, 2024) This stone was discovered by Petrie in 1822 near an oratory on the western coast of Ireland called the tomb of Brecan (Bennan), the monastery's presumed founder.  It was found in one of the monastery's  grave-plots. Oratories were a place to pray at the shrines of martyrs and saints. The word oratory comes from the Latin verb orare, to pray. The monestary complex is known as "the Seven Churches."

Teampall Bheanáin is situated on a hilltop near the village of Killeany, on Inis Mór (Inishmore), the largest of the three Aran Islands. he church is dedicated to Saint Benan (Benignus of Armagh), who was a disciple and successor of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. According to tradition, Saint Benan came to Inis Mór in the sixth century and founded a monastery there. He also built a small cell for himself on the hill where Teampall Bheanáin now stands. The oratory was probably his tomb shrine, where pilgrims came to venerate his relics.

Teampall Bheanáin is part of a larger Early Christian site that includes remnants of a cashel wall (a circular stone enclosure) and foundations of clochán-style dwellings (beehive huts). Down the hill are further remains of a round tower and a Celtic cross. The site was likely abandoned after the Viking raids in the ninth and tenth centuries.

One of the most intriguing features of Teampall Bheanáin is its unusual orientation. Unlike most churches, which are aligned east-west, Teampall Bheanáin is aligned north-south. This may be due to the location being very exposed and windy, making it difficult to build a longer structure along the east-west axis. 

The text style is a mix between Iberian and Aegean Island so this actually dates it very early.

References

GAL-002. Templebrecan 2: Carved Pebble. Online at: https://emili.celt.dias.ie/en/inscriptions/GAL-002.html

Top view showing another inscription exists on the backside. Photos from: https://emili.celt.dias.ie/en/inscriptions/GAL-002.html