Abbeys - CURIOUS IRELAND

An abbey is a type of monastery that was used by members of a religious order under the governance of an abbot or abbess. They provided housing for both monks and nuns in a complex of buildings designed for work and religious activities. There are about 120 genuine abbeys in Ireland. and they date from between 1041 and 1550. Cistercian abbeys are regarded to have some of the most beautiful architecture in Europe.

Boyle Abbey, Boyle. County Roscommon 1161-1592

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One of the finest examples of a Cistercian monastery in Ireland Boyle Abbey was established in 1161 under the patronage of the MacDermott's and was completed in 1218. It was the first Cistercian [...]

Boyle Abbey, Boyle. County Roscommon 1161-1592 emmet2025-10-26T10:38:30+00:00

Sligo Abbey, Sligo Town. County Sligo 1252

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The only surviving 15th-century sculptured altar in Ireland Sligo Abbey is located right in the middle of Sligo Town. It was built by Maurice Fitzgerald for the Dominicans in 1252 and includes a [...]

Sligo Abbey, Sligo Town. County Sligo 1252 emmet2025-10-26T10:41:56+00:00

Murrisk Abbey, Murrisk. County Mayo 1456

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The traditional starting point for climbing Croagh Patrick Murrisk Abbey is located on the shoreline of Clew bay at the foot of Croagh Patrick. This is the ancient starting point for pilgrims to [...]

Murrisk Abbey, Murrisk. County Mayo 1456 emmet2025-10-26T10:52:30+00:00

Clare Abbey, Ennis. County Clare 1195

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The first, largest & most important Augustinian House in Ireland Clare Abbey was founded in 1195 and is situated on an elevated site beside the Fergus River. This was the earliest and most important [...]

Clare Abbey, Ennis. County Clare 1195 emmet2025-10-25T18:19:37+00:00

Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, County Down 1180

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Ireland's earliest Gothic arch & Game of Thrones location Inch Abbey was established as a Cistercian house by John de Courcy and his wife Affreca in 1180 as an act of repentance for [...]

Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, County Down 1180emmet2025-10-26T10:30:39+00:00

Fore Abbey, Fore. County Westmeath 1180

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One of the best-preserved Benedictine abbeys in Ireland The original church here was founded by St. Féichín in 630 AD. This small monastic site quickly grew in size and importance and received mentions in [...]

Fore Abbey, Fore. County Westmeath 1180emmet2025-10-26T12:43:34+00:00

Hore Abbey, Cashel. County Tipperary 1266

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An abbey under The Rock Hore Abbey was founded in 1266 as a Benedictine abbey. Soon after, it was transferred to the ownership of the Cistercians after the Archbishop of Cashel David McCarvill, [...]

Hore Abbey, Cashel. County Tipperary 1266 emmet2025-10-27T08:58:02+00:00

Tintern Abbey, Hook Head. County Wexford 1200

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A beautiful abbey founded by the greatest Norman knight Tintern Abbey was founded in 1200 by William Marshall, the 1st Earl of Pembroke. Marshal had set sail for Ireland on his first visit [...]

Tintern Abbey, Hook Head. County Wexford 1200 emmet2025-10-26T13:09:24+00:00

Quin Abbey, Quin. County Clare 1433

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A fortified abbey with an eclectic history Quin Abbey started life out as a church. This was attacked and burnt in 1278 by members of the O'Brien clan. It was then transformed into a [...]

Quin Abbey, Quin. County Clare 1433emmet2025-10-25T18:22:22+00:00

Cong Abbey, Cong. County Mayo 1135

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Historic abbey containing some of Ireland's finest masonry Cong Abbey was founded in 1135 by King Turlough O'Connor. It has been attacked and rebuilt on numerous occasions and over the years served as [...]

Cong Abbey, Cong. County Mayo 1135 emmet2025-10-26T10:55:48+00:00

Bective Abbey, Bective. County Meath 1147

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Braveheart movie location Bective Abbey is set beside a lovely old bridge on the River Boyne. It was founded in 1147 by the King of Meath and was the second Cistercian abbey built [...]

Bective Abbey, Bective. County Meath 1147 emmet2025-10-27T09:17:09+00:00

St Mary’s Abbey, Howth. North County Dublin c.13th-16th

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Founded by Norse King Sitric Howth has a strong Viking connection and its name is derived from the old Norse name for 'Head'. King Sitric, the Norse Viking King of Dublin, founded the [...]

St Mary’s Abbey, Howth. North County Dublin c.13th-16themmet2025-10-26T19:33:54+00:00

Dunbrody Abbey, Campile. County Wexford 1170

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The longest abbey in Ireland Dunbrody Abbey was founded in 1170 on the grounds of a former Cistercian monastery under the instructions of Strongbow's uncle - Herve de Montmorency. When completed in 1220 [...]

Dunbrody Abbey, Campile. County Wexford 1170emmet2025-10-26T13:11:30+00:00

Mellifont Abbey, Tullyallen. County Meath 1142

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The earliest and most important Cistercian abbey in Ireland Mellifont Abbey was founded by St Malachy in 1142 and was the first and most important of Ireland's 35 Cistercian abbeys. The term Cistercian [...]

Mellifont Abbey, Tullyallen. County Meath 1142emmet2025-10-27T09:21:06+00:00