At Kirkapol there are two chapels in close proximity. Access to the site has been improved through a parallel disabled access project funded by The Fieldfare Trust.

The name Kirkapol is Old Norse for Church Farm. It is probable that the Vikings found a monastic settlement here when they began their incursions into he Hebrides in the 9th century. It is known that the Iona monastery was destroyed three times during those years, so it is likely that the early wood, clay and thatch buildings at Kirkapol were also destroyed.

The Norse began to convert to Christianity in the 10th or 11th centuries and they may have erected the first stone church buildings. The present ruins of the smaller chapel are thought to be 13th century whilst those of the larger chapel are probably from the 14th century. The flat outcrop which forms the floor of the small chapel and which may bear a cup marking suggests that pagan worship may have taken place here in
pre-Christian times. It was common practice for early Celtic missionaries to erect church buildings on such sites to demonstrate Christian faith superseding paganism.

The larger chapel served as the parish church probably from the time of Ayg MacPetri who became vicar of the church of Saint Columba at 'Kerepol' in 1375. From this time onwards the smaller chapel may have served as an oratory chapel for the clergy. Two Latin crosses incised in rock outcrops to the north of the smaller chapel suggest that the whole site was a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage prior to the establishment of the present two chapels

The larger chapel stands in its own graveyard, An Cladh Beag or The Small Graveyard. There are at least eight narrow sculptured grave slabs. The most legible one is dedicated to Finnguine, Abbot of Hy (Iona) in 1492. The two handed sword carved on the slab is claimed to be the earliest representation of a claymore in Scotland. The ancient practice of interment of remains beneath the foundations of consecrated buildings in order to benefit from their sanctity was confirmed in the discovery of a mass grave under the former foundation of the east gable. Archaeologists discovered this during part of the conservation project.

The larger cemetery, now extended into being the current cemetery for the eastern half of Tiree, used to contain the Chapel of Odhran. No trace of it remains but the cemetery is called Cladh Odhrain. Saint Oran was a relative and disciple of Columba and may have spent time in Tiree because the graveyard is dedicated to him.

The Kilkenneth chapel building, now in ruins amongst grassed-over dunes, probably dates from the late Middle Ages. With its dedication to Saint Kenneth, a colleague of Saint Columba, it may have replaced earlier, less substantial structures on this site. Saint Kenneth was the founder of the monastery at Aghaboe in Ireland. He is said to have lived for some time in Tiree in the late 6th century and to have accompanied Saint Columba on a mission to the Inverness area to convert King Brude of the Picts to Christianity.

Most of the west gable wall collapsed in the late 1960s. There is a doorway in that gable. Two narrow windows at the east end of the north and south walls would have provided light to the sanctuary end of the church. In this feature it is similar to the small chapel at Kirkapol and Teampall Pharaig, Patrick's Chapel. In the past coffins and human remains have been exposed after storms have shifted the surface of the dunes. According to the First Statistical Account (1793) there have been no burials since the late 18th century. A walled churchyard is discernible running from the north side to the SE side of the chapel. Loose stones in the NW part of the site may be disturbed grave markers.

Saint Patrick's Temple lies on the Balephuil Bay side of Ceann a' Bharra headland. It is the remains of a medieval structure that possibly replaced an earlier less substantial chapel. Its dedication to Saint Patrick may have been given by Saint Comgall, and Irish missionary saint who was a contemporary of Saint Columba. There is no evidence that Saint Patrick ever ventured to Tiree. Saint Comgall travelled with Saint Columba and Saint Kenneth to Inverness to convert Brude, King of the Picts to Christianity.

There is a Tiree folk tale that Saint Comgall, founder of Bangor Abbey in Northern Ireland, also founded a monastery at Ceann a' Bharra. On one occasion Pictish sea raiders attacked Saint Comgall's monks whilst they worked in their fields (above the chapel is a level area where there is clear evidence of early cultivation). The raiders captured the monks and their possessions but left Comgall because he was wearing a habit and they feared the consequences of assaulting a holy man. Comgall called on the Lord in prayer and the Picts were struck with blindness. Then a sudden storm drove their ship aground. The frightened raiders released the monks and returned the stolen goods and begged forgiveness. Comgall prayed for them and their sight was restored and the storm abated.

Around the chapel an enclosure is discernible measuring about one third of an acre. On the north and east boundaries are four scarped platforms, possibly the site of huts. Only part of the east gable survives. The rest of the walls are turf-covered footings.

The First Statistical Account (1794) records that the walls were 1.7m high. However, in 1898 two feckless youths amused themselves by destroying the walls. The story goes that they died soon afterwards. This was regarded locally as just recompense for their sacrilegious act.

The remains of a square altar base are in the centre of the east gable wall. Within the former walls are two stones bearing incised Latin crosses on both faces. An oval shaped enclosure 6m by 3m is situated 10m north of the chapel. Saint Patrick's Vat or Well, traditionally regarded as a baptismal font, is 60m north-east of the chapel. It is one of several naturally formed 'swallow holes' on prominent rocks above the high water mark.

All that is visible of Saint Finan's Chapel is the low wall outline. It lies to the west of Rossdhu House. Surrounding the chapel is a small cemetery, which is traditionally believed to be the burial ground for unbaptised and stillborn infants. Grassed-over stone burial markers indicate the graves. The last burial here is thought to have been about 1840. Saint Finan was a disciple of Columba and probably lived at the monastery in Iona.

Place names are the only abiding evidence for other ancient chapels. Ard Chirnc is, east of Balephetrish Hill, may have been a monastic site founded by Saint Findchan, another of Saint Columba's missionary monks. Kilbride Chapel at Cornaigmore, Mullach na Croise near the Kilmoluaig shore and the chapel of Saint Thomas in Scarinish are other ancient chapel sites. Former ancient monastic sites are found at Soroby and Caolas.