abbeys ireland

A Cistercian abbey founded from Jerpoint by Donal Mor O'Brien in 1182 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Benedict. The church, built around 1200, had a nave and two aisles, but after the almost complete destruction of the monastery in 1445, great reconstruction took place within the monastery and the church lost its two aisles. In the course of rebuilding, a new north transept and a tower were also added. The quality of the stonework in these additions is good, as attested by the carvin...

The Augustinian Abbey was founded by Dermot macMurrough, probably on or near the site of the primitive oratory of St Mogue. The abbey was burned down in 1154, but MacMurrough rebuilt it in 1160 and died there in 1171. The remains consist of a tower built in tow stages ( the lower stage square and the upper stage round), the north wall of the church and the priests residential apartments. The only remains of the Cathedral are the ruined chancel and some fragments of the piers of a nave...

A focal point of the northern midlands where the provinces of Leinster, Ulster and Connaught all converge, Longford, where history and literature, tragedy and triumph are all woven together, takes its name from the ancient stronghold of the O'Farrell family (Long Fort - Fort of the O'Farrells). Bordered to the West by the majestic River Shannon, Longford is a county of rolling plains and picturesque stretches of water. The highest pint of the county, Cairn Hill, is only 279 m high, but from a...

Moyne Abbey and Rosserk Abbey are located close to each other, north of Ballina. Both compete for the title of largest and most impressive ecclesiastical ruins in Mayo and both have much in common. Moyne was founded by the Burke Family as a Franciscan friary. Built in the late Irish Gothic Style, it was consecrated in 1462. This abbey was destroyed in the 1590s by Queen Elizabeth's governor of Connacht, Sir Richard Bingham....

During a stormy crossing to England once, William, the Earl Marshall, made a vow that he would found a church in Ireland if he survived the voyage. He survived, and fulfilled his vow around 1200 by founding Tintern Abbey, called after its more famous counterpart in Wales from whence its first monks came. The church consisted of a nave and aisles, a chancel and transepts. The aisles have disappeared though a chapel on the east wall of the south aisle is still preserved and contains some nice s...

Loreto Abbey is the headquarters of the Loreto order of nuns in Ireland. It was here, in 1928, that a young Albanian novice, Agnes Bejaxhiu, came to learn English.
She left after a year to teach in a Loreto School in Calcutta, later becomng famous the world over as Mother Teresa. Email address is contactus@loreto.ie...

This ruined Augustinian prior is situated on the west bank of the River Suir. The tomb of William de Burgh, the Norman founder of the priory, lies in the church. Established in 1192, Athassel is believed to have been the largest medieval priory in Ireland until it burned down in 1447. The scattered monastic site conveys a tranquil atmosphere, from the gatehouse and church to the remains of the cloister. and chapter house. The church has a fine west doorway, nave and chancel walls, as...

An Abbey dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and founded for the Cistercians from Boyle in 1189-90 by Cathal Crovdearg O'Connor, King of Connacht. The church has a nave, chancel and a transept with two chapels. The nave is simple and austere, with little ornament except at the top of the pillars. In contrast, the rib-vaulted chancel has beautifully carved stonework with fine capitals and east windows. It has a 13th century tomb niche.

On the north wall of the chancel is a unique...

Ballintubber Abbey was founded in 1216 by Cathal Crobhdearg O'Connor, King of Connacht, near the site of the church built by St. Patrick in 441. Despite the Abbey's turbulent history, which included repression and burning, the Abbey 'refused to die' and now has the unique status of being Ireland's only royal Abbey which has been in continuous use for over 780 years. Spend some time in Ballintubber and Stroll around the grounds of the Abbey. Pray within its hallowed walls. Visit the Interpr...