Building identity: patronage and stonemasons in the west of Ireland in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries

This paper examines the architectural developments in twelfth- and thirteenth-century Connacht, emphasising the
intersection of political authority, ecclesiastical patronage and the craftsmanship of regional stonemasons. It argues that
the Uá Conchobair dynasty, alongside key ecclesiastical figures, used church construction to consolidate political and
religious authority during a period of significant instability. Drawing on architectural fragments, stylistic analysis and
fieldwork evidence, the paper highlights the emergence of a distinctive Connacht stonemasonry style, which developed
into the style commonly referred to as School of the West. Despite periods of conflict and destruction, Connacht’s churches
reflect a continuous development of craftsmen, showcasing how local stonemasons adapted indigenous traditions in
response to changing social and political conditions.