It was an important culdee centre, but went into decline after Fedelmid mac Crimthainn died in AD 846.

The surviving stone church is a pre-Norman cell with a chancel later added.

[citation needed] It is famous as the discovery site of the Derrynaflan Hoard of gold and silver objects of the 8th–9th century.

[5][6][7] A stone slab found on the site (now in the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology) is inscribed OR DOAN MAIN DVBSCVLL, "a prayer for the soul of Dubscuile.

The east, north and south walls of the chancel with five windows and the foundations of the nave survive.