Athenry Abbey

The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Athenry

Prióireacht Peadar agus Pól, Baile Átha an Rí
East window
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other names	Ath-na-riogh; Ath-na-rig; Anry
Order	Dominican Order
Established	1241
Disestablished	1574; 1698
Diocese	Tuam
People
Founder(s)	Meyler de Bermingham
Architecture
Status	ruined
Style	Late Gothic
Site
Location	Abbey Row, Athenry, County Galway
Coordinates	53°17′54″N8°44′40″W / 53.298236°N 8.744544°W / 53.298236; -8.744544 Coordinates: 53°17′54″N8°44′40″W / 53.298236°N 8.744544°W / 53.298236; -8.744544
Public access	yes
National Monument of Ireland
Official name	Athenry Abbey
Reference no.	164

The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Athenry, also called Athenry Priory, is a medieval Dominican priory and National Monument located in Athenry, Ireland. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Location

Athenry Abbey is located in the eastern part of Athenry, east of the Clarinbridge River. ^{[5] [6]}

History

The great east window

Meyler de Bermingham was the founder in 1241. ^[7] Other local notables funded it: Feidlim Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht built the refectory; Owen Ó hEidhin (King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne) built the dormitory and Conchobar Ó Cellaigh of Uí Maine the chapter house. The priory initially stood on the edge of the town walls, but was later enveloped by them.

A provincial chapter was held at Athenry in 1242. Flann Mac Flainn, Archbishop of Tuam, built a house for scholars in the 1250s. Founder Meyler was buried in the priory in 1252. His son William de Bermingham was Archbishop of Tuam; he had a dispute with the monastery in 1297 but was buried there in 1312.^{[ citation needed ]}

The refectory (now destroyed) was built around 1265, with the chapel completed before 1340.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 1324, William Liath de Burgh left money to enlarge the church and priory, a task completed by 1345. Joanna de Ruffur died in 1408 and left money to construct a new east window and windows in the choir.^{[ citation needed ]}

Athenry Priory was burned in 1423; indulgences were granted by Pope Martin V and Pope Eugene IV to those who contributed to its repair. 1451, the friars built a chapel on land north of the river at Carrowardahrah, granted by Ulick Ruadh Burke.^{[ citation needed ]}

The monastery was dissolved in 1574.^{[ citation needed ]}

Athenry Abbey was burned during the uprising of William mac an Iarla Burke in the 1570s. Regular Observant Friars reoccupied it 1595–7.^{[ citation needed ]}

In the 1640s the historian James Ware acquired the Register of the priory.^{[ citation needed ]}

Athenry was re-revived as a university in 1644, before being shut down by Cromwellians in 1652. The friars last occupied Athenry priory between 1685 and 1698.^{[ citation needed ]}

In the 18th century the priory was used as a military barracks. The last de Bermingham to be buried at Athenry was Lady Mathilda Bermingham (d. 1788). ^[8] The tower collapsed around 1790. Lady Mathilda's tomb, a Coade stone monument, was broken into in 2002, perhaps by thieves. ^[9]

Clerics Associated with Athenry Abbey

• Dominic de Burgo (Dominic Burke) OP, Bishop of Elphin, professed in Athenry in 1648
• Dominic Burke OP, returned to Athenry as Prior in 1642
• Edmund Bourke OP, priest and academic, processed in Athenry in 1683
• Thomas Burke OP, served as prior in San Sisto Rome, before serving as Prior in Athenry (1687-1698)
• William Burke OP, provincial of the order, served as Prior of Athenry
• Gerald Davok, STM OP, prior of Athenry 1663

Buildings

The remains consist of nave, chancel and a northern aisle and transept, and tombs from the 13th–15th centuries.

The tall lancet windows in the chancel are probably 13th century while the remainder is 14th century. ^{[10] [11]}

• 
  The abbey in winter
• 
  Sunset over the abbey church
• 
  Another view

References

1. "Athenry Abbey". dúchas.ie.
2. Blake, Martin Joseph. "Athenry Abbey" – via Google Books.
3. Playfair, James (17 April 2018). "A System of Geography: Ancient and Modern". P. Hill – via Google Books.
4. Carlisle, Nicholas (17 April 2018). "4A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland ... Being a Continuation of the Topography of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". Miller – via Google Books.
5. Walsh, Thom (17 April 2018). "History of the Irish Hierarchy: With the Monasteries of Each County, Biographical Notices of the Irish Saints, Prelates, and Religious". Sadlier – via Google Books.
6. O'Heyne, Rev John (1902). The Irish Dominicans of the Seventeenth Century. W. Tempest – via Internet Archive. Athenry Abbey.
7. "1241 - Athenry Abbey, Co. Galway - Architecture of Galway - Archiseek - Irish Architecture". 9 November 2012.
8. "Vandalism of 18th-century tomb investigated".
9. "Athenry Dominican Priory - Monastic Ireland". monastic.ie.
10. "Dominican Priory History". www.athenryheritagecentre.com.
11. "The Dominican Priory in Athenry - Historic Graves Blog". historicgraves.com.