List of monastic houses in County Offaly

Last updated

The smaller establishments such as monastic cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks) and camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers) are included. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, or preceptory/commandery.

Contents

Layout

Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.

Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.

Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.

Abbreviations and Key

The sites listed are ruins or fragmentary remains unless indicated thus:
*current monastic function
+current non-monastic ecclesiastic function
^current non-ecclesiastic function
=remains incorporated into later structure
#no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
~exact site of monastic foundation unknown
øpossibly no such monastic foundation at location
¤no such monastic foundation
≈identification ambiguous or confused

Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).

Trusteeship denoted as follows:
NIEA Scheduled Monument (NI)
NM National Monument (ROI)
C.I.Church of Ireland
R.C.Roman Catholic Church
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FoundationImageCommunities & ProvenanceFormal Name or Dedication
& Alternative Names		OnLine References & Location
Banagher Monasteryearly monastic site;
church of St Mary built on site, now ruined		Bennchore 53°11′21″N7°59′13″W / 53.189105°N 7.986848°W / 53.189105; -7.986848 (Banagher Monastery)
Birr Monastery #early monastic site, founded before 573 by St Brendan of Birr;
plundered by the men of Dublin 842;
burned 1167		Biorra;
Birra;
Biror;
Parsonstown		 53°05′42″N7°54′48″W / 53.094924°N 7.913255°W / 53.094924; -7.913255 (Birr Monastery)
Clareen Monasteryfounded 6th centurySt Kieran; Seir Kieran 52°59′54″N7°54′45″W / 52.998381°N 7.912584°W / 52.998381; -7.912584 (Clareen Monastery)
Cloghan Friary ~Franciscan Friars
purportedly founded c.1595 by the Lord Deputy, Sir William Russell, who took Cloghan Castle from O'Madden [notes 1] — dubious
Clonmacnoise Cathedral and Monastery Clonmacnois viewed from river.jpg early monastic site; diocesan cathedral 1111;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded after 1140;
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian?
refounded? c.1144;
dissolved c.1268;
secular college
founded 1459;;
dissolved 1568		Cluain-maccu-nois;
Cluain-mic-nois;
Cluan;
Tipraic, with Eaglais-beaag		 53°19′35″N7°59′09″W / 53.3262952°N 7.9859075°W / 53.3262952; -7.9859075 (Clonmacnoise Catederal and Monastery)
Clonmacnoise AbbeyAugustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian?
founded 12th century separate from the cathedral (see immediately above);
dissolution date unknown — later abbots (up to 1384) may have been titular
Clonmacnoise Abbey (nuns)early monastic site, nuns
founded before 1026;
Augustinian nuns — Arroasian;
dependent on Clonard;
refounded c.1144? by Devorghilla, daughter of Murchad O Melaghlin; St Mary's church rebuilt
dependent on Kilcreevanty 1223;
dissolved after 1500?		St Mary
____________________
Kelbygmieth;
Kellogainechan;
Riaghtalta Kailleach		 53°19′42″N7°58′42″W / 53.328413°N 7.978309°W / 53.328413; -7.978309 (Clonmacnoise Nun's Abbey)
Clonsast Monasteryearly monastic site, founded late 7th century by St Bearchan [notes 2] Cluain-Sasta 53°13′18″N7°08′13″W / 53.221597°N 7.136900°W / 53.221597; -7.136900 (Clonsast Monastery)
Cluain-an-dobhair ~early monastic site, not yet identified, possibly located in County Offaly
Cluain-dachrann Monastery ~possible chapel or cell of Rahan, possibly founded by St Carthagerroneously Clonrane, [notes 3] County Westmeath
Craebheach Monastery ~early monastic site, possibly founded c.450 by St Trian, disciple of St Patrick
possibly located in County Offaly, site near the River Brosna, possibly near Clonmacnois		Croebheach;
Craibheach
Croghan Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 490/492Cruachan Bri Eli 53°20′45″N7°17′39″W / 53.345900°N 7.294051°W / 53.345900; -7.294051 (Croghan Monastery)
Drumcullen Monastery ~early monastic site, founded before 591, also given located in County Westmeath [notes 4] Druim-cuilinn 53°06′19″N7°43′48″W / 53.105327°N 7.730009°W / 53.105327; -7.730009 (Drumcullen Monastery)
Durrow Abbeyearly monastic site, founded 556 or 565 by St Colmcille, site granted by Aedh mac Brendain, King of Tethba;
burned 1095;
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
probable double monastery with Durrow Priory (see immediately below);
founded after 1144? by Murchad O'Melaghlin, possibly at the instance of St Malachy;
burned 1153;
burned twice 1155;
destroyed by the Anglo-Normans 1175;
founded after; 310,317
St Mary
____________________
Dermag-coluim-cille;
Diarmag-coluim-cille;
Durmag-coluim-cille;
Dorro;
Dower;
Deevo? (sic. County Westmeath) 		53°19′33″N7°31′11″W / 53.325952°N 7.51967°W / 53.325952; -7.51967 (Durrow Abbey)
Durrow Priory #Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
dependent on Clonard;
probable double monastery with Durrow Abbey (see immediately above);
founded after 1144? by Murchad O'Melaghlin, possibly at the instance of St Malachy;
dissolved after 1195?, granted to the nuns of Clonard; nuns probably transferred to Killeigh after 1195		St Mary
Gageborough Priorynuns(order unknown)
founded 13th century? by Matilda de Lacy;
dissolution unknonwn		 53°23′22″N7°36′06″W / 53.389338°N 7.601802°W / 53.389338; -7.601802 (Gageborough Priory (approx.)) (approx)
Gallen Priory Gallen Priory Early Monastic Site Pillar West Face from the side 2010 09 10.jpg founded 5th century by St Canoc;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1140-8;
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian?
possibly adopted at the instance of St Malachy;
ruined 1519;
plundered 1531 and 1548;
probably dissolved before/c. 1585; granted to Sir Gerald More 1612;
reoccupied after 1620
probably refounded by the MacCoghlans, benefactors		Gallimh;
Galeang;
Galin;
Galynn;
Glinnensis		 53°15′45″N7°49′24″W / 53.262616°N 7.823314°W / 53.262616; -7.823314 (Gallen Priory)
Kilbian Monastery ≈early monastic site, founded 583, [notes 5] possibly by St Abban, [notes 6] possibly located in County OffalyKilmbian?
Kilcolgan Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by St Colgan son of KellachCell-colgain 53°16′18″N7°46′56″W / 53.271625°N 7.782259°W / 53.271625; -7.782259 (Kilcolgan Monastery (approx.?)) (approx?)
Kilcolman Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by St Colman Niger (possibly Colman of Duir-mor)Cell-colmain;
Insula Vitae [notes 7] 		53°02′53″N7°52′35″W / 53.048184°N 7.876347°W / 53.048184; -7.876347 (Kilcolman Monastery)
Kilcomin Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 669Cell-cumain;
Disert Chuimin		 52°58′07″N7°57′46″W / 52.968569°N 7.962664°W / 52.968569; -7.962664 (Kilcomin Monastery)
Kilcormac FriaryCarmelite Friars
founded 1406 by Odo (Hugh), son of Nellan Mulloy, buried here;
dissolved before 1579?; granted to George Cowley 1579;
granted to Robert Leicester, probably after 1599		St Mary
____________________
Cell-chormaic;
Kil-carmic;
Kil-marmick;
Frankford		 53°10′38″N7°43′35″W / 53.177279°N 7.726312°W / 53.177279; -7.726312 (Kilcormac Friary)
Killagally Monastery ≈early monastic siteKilalga? (County Meath)
Killeigh Priory +=early monastic site
abbey founded before 549 by St Sinchell, son of Cenandan;
Augustinian Canons Regular
dependent on Durrow;
priory founded after 1144?;
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
probably adopted before 1148 or after 1163;
dissolved c.1569; granted to John Lee 1576;
temporal possessions granted to Gerald, Earl of Kildare 1578;
church became parochial;
remains incorporated into C.I. parish church		The Holy Cross [notes 8]
St Mary (15th century) 		53°12′56″N7°27′15″W / 53.215439°N 7.454299°W / 53.215439; -7.454299 (Killeigh Priory)
Killeigh Priory (nuns) #Augustinian Canonesses — Arroasian?
founded after 1195?;
dissolved c.1569?		 53°12′45″N7°27′05″W / 53.212381°N 7.451327°W / 53.212381; -7.451327 (Killeigh Priory (nuns))
Killeigh FriaryFranciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded 1293? (before 1303) by Edward I;
dissolved c.1598, buildings destroyed c.1598; granted to John Allee, friars apparently remained in the area
Observant Franciscan Friars
adopted 1632		 53°12′49″N7°27′11″W / 53.213537°N 7.453140°W / 53.213537; -7.453140 (Killeigh Friary)
Killyon Monasteryearly monastic site, nuns
founded 5th century (after the death of his father) by St Ciaran for his mother, Liedania		Cell-liadain;
Kil-liadhuin		 53°05′56″N7°48′52″W / 53.098990°N 7.814488°W / 53.098990; -7.814488 (Killyon Monastery)
Kilmeelchon Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 5th century by St Gussacht mac Milchon;
extant 883		Cell-mic-milchon 53°11′24″N8°00′33″W / 53.189969°N 8.009277°W / 53.189969; -8.009277 (Kilmeelchon Monastery (approx.)) (approx)
Kinnitty Monastery #early monastic site, possibly founded by 557;
plundered by Norsemen 842;
site possibly marked by a High cross within a churchyard		 [1]

53°06′11″N7°41′51″W / 53.102991°N 7.697404°W / 53.102991; -7.697404 (Kinnitty Monastery (poss.)) (possibly)
Lemanaghan Monasteryearly monastic site, founded c.645-6 by St Managhan?, land granted to the community at Clonmacnoise;
extant 893; apparently extant 1205		St Managhan
____________________
Leith-manchain;
Liath-manchain;
Manchan Leith;
Tuaim nEirc		 53°17′35″N7°44′37″W / 53.292955°N 7.743662°W / 53.292955; -7.743662 (Lemanaghan Monastery)
Lusmagh Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 7th century by St CronanHerbosus Campus 53°10′21″N8°01′13″W / 53.172630°N 8.020384°W / 53.172630; -8.020384 (Lusmagh Monastery (?)) (?)
Lusmagh Friary≈øFranciscan Friars — possibly never establishedClochincantualaig?
Lynally Monastery #Columban monks
founded c.590 by St Colman Elo;
burned by Dohmnall mac Murchadh 970		Lann-Elo;
Lann-Eala;
Linnalli;
Lynnealla		 53°15′55″N7°33′21″W / 53.265325°N 7.555737°W / 53.265325; -7.555737 (Lynally Monastery)
Monasteroris Friary Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded 1325 by John de Bermingham, Earl of Louth;
Observant Franciscan Friars
adopted before 1507;
dissolved after 1542; granted to Nicholas Herbert before 1587		Feoruis;
Macfeorais;
Mainister-oras;
Moitot;
Mortoto;
Thetmoy;
Totmoy;
Tuaith-maigh		 53°20′51″N7°05′02″W / 53.347482°N 7.083776°W / 53.347482; -7.083776 (Monasteroris Friary)
Roscrea — Mount St Joseph's Abbey * MountStJosephAbbeyRoscrea.JPG Cistercian monks — Trappist — from Mount Melleray Abbey, County Waterford
founded 1878;
extant		 [2]

52°57′49″N7°51′21″W / 52.963697°N 7.855793°W / 52.963697; -7.855793 (Mount St Joseph Abbey)
Rahan Monasteryearly monastic site, monks
founded c.590-635, purportedly by Camelacus, Patrician bishop;
great monastery founded by St Carthach (Mochuda);
suggested [notes 9] Augustinian Canons Regular
briefly, possibly after 1171 — improbable and documentary evidence lacking		St Carthach
____________________
Raihen;
Rath-an;
Rath-enin;
Rath-yne		 53°16′42″N7°36′43″W / 53.278453°N 7.611889°W / 53.278453; -7.611889 (Rahan Monastery)
Rathlihen Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before c.540 by St IllandRathlipthen;
Rathlibthen		 53°11′57″N7°38′57″W / 53.199240°N 7.649184°W / 53.199240; -7.649184 (Rathlihen Monastery)
Reynagh Monasteryearly monastic site, nunsCell-rignaighe;
Kill-rignaighe;
suggested Kilrane, [notes 10] County Wexford 		53°09′22″N7°57′36″W / 53.156009°N 7.960020°W / 53.156009; -7.960020 (Reynagh Monastery)
Seirkieran Priory Seir Kieran Round Tower and Priory Wall 2010 09 09.jpg early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Ciaran;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before c.1170;
dissolved 1568, surrendered 27 December 1568		St Ciaran;
St Mary
____________________
Saiger Chiarain;
Saegir-Querayn;
St Keranus de Sayr
Kieran de Sayr;
Sayrkeran;
Syrkyeran		 53°04′13″N7°47′33″W / 53.070405°N 7.792536°W / 53.070405; -7.792536 (Seirkieran Priory)
Tihelly Monastery #early monastic site founded 5th century;
burned 670;		Tihilly;
Tech-telle;
Tech-taille;
Tehelly;
Templekieran		 53°18′39″N7°32′39″W / 53.310881°N 7.544072°W / 53.310881; -7.544072 (Tihelly Monastery)
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Notes

  1. ↑ Cassell, Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland ii, p.52
  2. ↑ O. S. Muirthuile, Tullamore Official Guide, p.16; E. Hogan, Onomasticon Goedelicum, R.I.A., 1910 p.270
  3. ↑ Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.708
  4. ↑ Harris's Table, Ware-Harris, Antiquities, 1745, p.264 and Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.709
  5. ↑ Conry
  6. ↑ Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p398
  7. ↑ Ordnance Survey
  8. ↑ James Ware, De Hibernia, et Antiquitatibus ejus, 1654 edition
  9. ↑ Journal, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, xxvi. p.317
  10. ↑ E. Hogan, S. J., Onomasticon Goedelicum, R.I.A., 1910, p.210

References

  1. ↑ "High Cross Kinnitty". megalithicireland.com.
  2. ↑ Mount St Joseph Abbey Roscrea

See also

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