Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Ballyboghill Monastery
early monastic site, Gaelic monks prior to the arrival of the Anglo-Normans
Ballycastle Friary ≈
building called ‘abbey’, apparently built 1612 by Randal Mac Donnell, Earl of Antrim; standing until the Reformation; probably Bonamargy Friary (v. infra)
Ballygarvan Monastery ~, Carrigaline parish
supposed monastic site — order, foundation and period unknown
Ballyhack Preceptory
Founded: before 1212
Order: Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller founded before 1212; dissolved after 1375, merged with Kilcloggan; now the site of Ballyhack Castle
Ballyhaunis Friary
Founded: c. 1430
Order: Augustinian
Augustinian Friars founded c. 1430 supposedly by the Angulos (the Nangle-Mac Costello family), traditionally by a descendant of Jordan Dubh Mac Costello; granted to the Earl of Clanricarde 1570; friars…
Ballyhean Monastery
Founded: 5th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, supposedly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick
Ballykine Monastery
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, purportedly founded by a brother of St Kevin; private residence named Whaley Abbey built on site
Ballylarkin Abbey ø
asserted monastic site, order unknown founded 13th century?; ‘abbey’;[notes 122] ruins of a parish church; (NM)
Ballylynan ‘Abbey’, nr Killabban parish
supposed monastic site, order, foundation and period unknown; purportedly founded by the O’More family; “”Abbey in ruins””[notes 131]
Ballymacadane Abbey
Order: Augustinian Nuns
Augustinian nuns founded c.1450? by Cormac MacCarthy MacTiege Laider; dissolved1539?; site granted to Franciscan Friars (see immediately below)
Ballymacadane Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded after 1539? on site of Augustinian nunnery (see immediately above); dissolved before 1584?
Ballymacswiney Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded 1646 or 1469 by MacSwiney; dissolved before 1607; sold to Sir Ralph Bingley by Henry Perse,1612