aghaboe churches

The first monastery here was founded by St. Cainneach in the 6th century. It was plundered in 913, rebuilt in 1052 and burnt again in 1116. it was once the principal church of the Kingdom of Ossory. In 1234 it was rebuilt again as an Augustinian Priory, but was burnt once more in 1346 by Dermot Mac Gillapatrick, and after 1349 remained in MacGillapatrick hands. The tower of the present Protestant church retains original 13th century portions, including the arcade near the top, but the door is probably 15th century.

The church, which stands on the site of the Augustinian church, has some windows taken from the nearby Dominican Friary. This recently-conserved friary was founded in 1382 by Mac Gillapatrick, and the consists of one long nave and some niches, and a south chapel built by the phelans. some of the windows were incorporated into a 'folly' at Heywood House, Ballinakill. In a field to the north is a square motte, possibly built in the 13th century by Adam de Hereford.