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 the bishop.
Saint Patrick gives his blessing to Bishop Senach of Aughagower on Shrove Saturday 441AD before his
departure to Cruachan Aigle (Croagh Patrick) for 40 days of penance and prayer on the summit
(441AD - 2000AD). This memorial was erected at the arrival of the 3rd millenium to celebrate
Aughagower as a patrician foundation for more than 15 centuries and its unbroken record as the site of
the parish church since Saint Patrick's time in the 5th century.
Saint Patricks Bed (Leaba Phadraig)
One of the monuments in Aughagower that is still in existence is Saint Patrick's Bed (Leaba Phadraig) where St. Patrick is
reputed to have slept. Pilgrims performed stations between the bed and the nearby holy well, Tobair
na nDeachan. Also near the church is St. Patrick's Vat or Dabach Phadraig
in Gaelige, where the saint baptized the first Christians of Aughagower.
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