This modest cluster of buildings holds within it something far more ancient: the remains of an early ecclesiastical complex that’s been designated National Monument number 24. The site’s religious significance stretches back to at least the 7th century, when the island first appears in written records, and it maintained its sacred status throughout the medieval period. Though the Civil Survey of 1654-56 mentions ‘five churches almost ruined’ standing here, today only one of these structures remains visible, leaving visitors to imagine the scale of what was once a thriving monastic settlement.

Standing sentinel at the head of West Town’s pier is a remarkable Tau cross, its distinctive T-shape carved from a single block of stone. This weathered monument rises 1.9 metres high, with a shaft measuring 40 centimetres wide and just 15 centimetres thick. The crosspiece spans 1.1 metres across and extends 35 centimetres deep, creating an imposing silhouette against the Atlantic sky. These unusual T-shaped crosses are relatively rare in Ireland, making this example particularly significant for understanding early Christian symbolism and stone carving traditions.

The cross and the surrounding ecclesiastical remains offer a tangible link to Tory Island’s long religious heritage, when monks braved the isolation and harsh Atlantic weather to maintain their community here. Today’s visitors approaching by boat are greeted by the same stone cross that has watched over the bay for centuries, a silent witness to the island’s transformation from sacred sanctuary to remote fishing community.