Location: This is not located at the main site at Lemanaghan but is a short distance away in Boher Roman Catholic Church on the L7001.
OS: N 18148 30500
Longitude: -7.7283561
Latitude: 53.324675
Description and History: This has long been on my list of places to visit, and I finally managed to make the trip out to see it, and it was completely worth it. It is one of the finest pieces of art and craftsmanship to come out of medieval Ireland and the fact that it is still in the vicinity of where it has been for centuries is nothing short of a miracle. It feels like it should be in the National Museum, but it is fantastic that it has remained near Lemanaghan. It is securely held in the Boher Roman Catholic Church, safely in a secure case as it has been stolen before.
The shrine is 12th century in date and was likely commissioned around 1130 as it bears striking similarities to the Cross of Cong which was commissioned c.1123. These similarities suggest that it was produced in the same workshop as the Cross of Cong which was in Roscommon under the goldsmith Máel Ísu mac Bratáin Uí Echach, although it has also been suggested that it was produced at Clonmacnoise, but the former seems more likely. Like the Cross of Cong it may have been commissioned by the High King, Turlough O’Connor. It was housed at Lemanaghan, possibly in St. Manchán’s Church, or in the smaller ruined building next door. It remained here until at least 1631, but was definitely removed by 1641 when the site was destroyed during the Irish Confederate Wars. It was then taken to Galway and housed in Kilcogan Castle for a time, before returning to Lemanaghan, and being given the Mooney family of Doon for safekeeping. It remained with that family for some time and in 1821 George Petrie brought it to wider public knowledge, but the shrine remained within the local community. It was sent to the British Museum in the 1930s to be cleaned before being returned.
The shrine is in a house design with a yew tree core with cast bronze feet, silver plates with gilt, cast copper alloy and bronze decorations with enamel inlay. It was made to house the reputed bones of St. Manchán and there are still bones inside. The decoration is a combination of insular Irish designs, Hiberno-Urnes, and Romanesque. The two larger faces are dominated by large crosses with five bosses on each. Originally 50 figures adorned the shrine, but only 11 survive. Each figure is different and they are thought to represent apostles and saints. All surviving figures are male, and it is unknown if any of the figures were female. Large rings at the base of the shrine would have been used to attach poles for the shrine to be used in processions.
The church that it is housed in is also of note, particularly for its Harry Clarke stained glass windows. For anyone who loves medieval art this shrine will undoubtedly be a highlight. It is somewhere that I will definitely return to as I feel it will become more fascinating with each visit. It is so intricate that it warrants more time to study.
Difficulty: Very easy to get to as it’s in a modern church.
Date of Visit: 1st May, 2026.
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| The wonderful Harry Clarke windows that even inorporate the shrine. |
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| Boher Church. |