RADIO carbon dating of a church uncovered by archaeologists on the summit of Croagh Patrick in Mayo has shown it dates from the time of Patrick, giving support to the legend that the saint visited the mountain.
New scientific evidence on the boat shaped oratory, which the archaeologists thought may have dated from 800-1200 AD, now shows it was built much earlier, possibly from 430.
The excavations have come up with a series of discoveries which show that Ireland's holiest mountain has been a sacred place for 5,000 years.
The study has found evidence of a Celtic hillfort encircling the summit at 2,599 feet. It was within the circular structure that the team working on the site located the church.
An aerial survey also uncovered dozens of circular hut sites abutting the summit. When excavated, one produced flint fragments which gave evidence of settlement in the Bronze age.
They also discovered a string of glass beads from the Iron Age and, perhaps of even greater importance, identified a series of prehistoric ritual and ceremonial sites.
These include stone rows, standing stones and pre historic rock art on the side of the mountain, which indicate that pagan rituals were held there in April and August each year.
The team's most recent discovery is a hermit cell, 1,200 feet beneath the summit, which they believe was used as a retreat where monks could withdraw to meditate away from the busy pilgrimage centre on the mountain top.
Mr Michael Gibbons, the archaeologist who is carrying out, the work under the direction of Mr Gerry Walsh, the Mayo county archaeologist, said dating the church on the summit has generated immense excitement: "It has now been proved to be the earliest church building yet excavated in Ireland and shows this to be a site of Christian pilgrimage from the 5th century onwards.
"The emerging archaeological evidence shows that St Patrick is unlikely to have ignored such a place because of its importance as a sacred mountain."
He said the work will continue for another two years.