This modest village holds far greater historical significance than its size might suggest, as it contains the remnants of what was once a thriving early ecclesiastical complex, now designated as National Monument number 24. Literary references to Tory’s religious importance stretch back to the 7th century and continue throughout the medieval period, painting a picture of an island that served as an important spiritual centre off Ireland’s northwest coast.

The Civil Survey of 1654–56 tells us that five churches once stood here, though frustratingly, only one survives today. This sole remaining structure, known as the Church of the Morsheisear or Church of the Seven, sits southwest of West Town and represents the last physical link to the island’s extensive ecclesiastical past. The Office of Public Works has carefully conserved the church ruins, ensuring this fragment of early Irish Christianity remains accessible to visitors and researchers alike.

Just outside the church’s northern wall stands a curious relic: a small square basin stone measuring 45cm by 35cm in height. This bullaun stone, as such carved stones are known, features a shallow depression roughly 35cm by 20cm and just 4cm deep. These basin stones were common features of early Irish ecclesiastical sites, typically used for grinding grain or herbs, though some scholars suggest they may have held holy water or been used in blessing rituals. Together with the church ruins, this humble stone helps tell the story of centuries of religious life on this remote Atlantic outpost.