Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Athy Priory *
Order: Dominican Friars
Dominican Friars founded 1253-7; dissolved 30 April 1539; rented to Martin Pelles 26 April 1540; refounded c.1622 by Fr Ross Mageoghegan; chapel enlarged 1864-7; dissolved mid-19th century; new church built and…
Athy Priory Hospital
Fratres Cruciferi founded after 1199 (1253?) by Richard de St Michael, Lord of Rhebane (during the reign of King John); dissolved 1540
Aughnish Monastery
early monastic site, probably not continuing into 11th century; erenaghs until 16th century
Aughrim Priory
Order: Arroasian
early monastic site, founded before 741; Augustinian Canons Regular – (?)Arroasian founded before 1170? or 1220, doubtfully purportedy by a Butler (Theobald Walter, first Butler of Ireland[notes 99]), more likely by…
Aughris Priory
Founded: before 1172
Order: Augustinian
Early monastic site, founded by St Molaise of Inishmurray; Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1172? by the Macdonalds, Irish noblemen; dissolved c.1584
Balally Monastery ~
supposed Early Christian monastic site (Irish: Baile Amhlaoibh, meaning ‘the town of Olaf’) may commemorate a Viking saint
Baldongan Monastery
Order: traditionally Knights Templar preceptory
supposed monastic site of friary & nunnery within the walls of the 13th-century Baldongan Castle – order and period unknown; traditionally Knights Templar preceptory
Balla Monastery
Founded: before 637
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded before 637 by St Mochua (Cronan); burned 780; coarbs into the 13th century
Balleeghan Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1471; dissolved 1603; granted to James Fullerton 1603
Ballentully Monastery
Order: Franciscan
Unknown order and foundation; given as Franciscan Friars — evidence lacking