monastic sites ireland

Situated on the site of an earlier monastery founded in the 7th century, this is an Augustinian Abbey founded possibly in the 12th century, and now in the grounds of Ashford Castle. it probably replaces a church which was burnt in 1137. The present Abbey may have been built by Turlough O'Connor, King of Connacht, or else by one of the O'Duffys. Of the church itself comparatively little remains, and the fine Romanesque doorway was inserted into the north wall in modern times. This doorway con...

A small treeless island 300 yards offshore from Coliemore harbour, where row-boats may be hired.

The island is uninhabited and its main interest is the early church dedicated to Saint Begnet near the landing place on the west shore. It has prominent antae and a massively lintelled doorway with slightly inclined jambs. The original roof was probably thatch or shingles, but medieval slates discovered in the course of excavation show that the church remained in use for some considerabl...

St Declan founded Ireland's earliest Christian settlement in Ardmore in 416 A.D. before the arrival of St Patrick. The 12th Century Round Tower, is 29m high and is the best example of an Irish Round Tower. The carvings on the West Gable of the Cathedral are special to Ardmore and depict Biblical scenes, as well as scenes from the early Christianisation of Ardmore. Nearby are St Declan's Grave (Beannachan). Ogham Stones, St. Declan's Stone and St. Declan's Well (Hermitage). The Round Tower...

The early Christian monastery of St Daig is marked by the only surviving feature, a Round Tower, which can be seen in the village.

In the 12th century the Augustinians built another monastery on higher ground alongside the Norman Motte which stands above the village.

Little remains of the monastery....

Two very early, possibly 8th century, High Crosses have elaborate and varied abstract patterns on the heads and shafts. the base of the larger north cross has Christ giving their mission to the Apostles, two processions and an uncertain animal scene. The south cross has the mission again, Daniel in the Lion's Den, Adam and Eve. A camera lens will note the detail far better than the eye in all but the most ideal slanted light. This is an important site in the development of Irish art. H...

The present Saint Lazerian's Cathedral is a 13th century building. Nearby is the site of a 7th century monastery and also Lazerian's Holy Well, venerated in the area for more than thirteen hundred years. The small pub in the village, Carey's has been in the same family since 1542....

A monastic settlement was founded on the island, maybe as far back as the 5th Century, by St Thaddeus who is buried there. The settlement continued until the middle of the 16th Century and the Church acted as Parish Church until its burning in the early years of the Ulster Plantation. It is known that the Church was in ruin by the year 1603 but in the troubled year of 1798 many women and children were forced to take shelter on the islands of Lough Beg. Mass was often celebrated within the " r...

Ardmore is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. St. Declan lived in the period 350 -450 AD and christianised this area before the coming of St. Patrick. St. Declan's feast day is "Pattern Day" every 24th of July....

Remains of the round tower, of the monastery and of the original stream cutting, believed to have been dug personally by St. Molin, who died in 690 AD, are important in a large collection of early monastic remains. The tiny settlement over looks the deep valley of the River Barrow, which is often compared - favourably - with the Rhine....

Though little more than half a mile to the west of the busy Dublin road, there is an air of detachment and antiquity about this celebrated place. The monastery came into existence in the sixth century but little is known of its founder, St Buite. Its fame rests chiefly on its exquisitely sculptured High Crosses, notably the South Cross, now generally called Muiredach's Cross after an abbot whose name is inscribed on the base. The cross is remarkable for the variety and organisation of its scr...