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 Augustinian house in County Clare and one of the largest in the country. It was founded under the sponsorship of Donal Mór O Brian, the King of Thomond in 1189 for the Augustinian Canons. Some parts of the single-aisled church date back to the 12th century, and the tower, the beautiful east window, and the domestic buildings were probably constructed around 1460 In 1278 it was the scene of a bloody battle between factions of the O’Brian family vying for power. In 1543, the lands were given to the Barons of Ibrackan by King Henry VIII after The Suppression of the Monasteries and later to the Earl of Thomond however canons still lived here until about 1650. Keep your eyes peeled as there are a number of interesting sculptural features for the observant visitor.