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 start the climb up Ireland’s holy mountain. The abbey was founded in 1456 by the Augustinian Friars on the site of a former church reputedly founded by St Patrick. The building has a beautiful east window with carved human heads on the wall outside. The south wall is crowned with unusual battlements and a number of windows. The friars were driven out in the late 16th century after King Henry VIII’s Reformation and it ceased to function as an abbey in 1800. This has also been the choice burial ground for the most prominent families of the west that include the O’Malleys, The Garveys, and The MacDonnells.