Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
St Macdara’s Island Monastery
early emeritical monastic site, founded by St (Sionnach) Mac Dara
St Mullin’s Abbey
Order: purported Augustinian Canons Regular
early monastic site, founded 632 by St Molling, site purportedly granted by St Aidan, Bishop of Ferns; purported Augustinian Canons Regular (no documentation of foundation); plundered and burnt before 1138; (NM)
St Mullins Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, license granted 1414 — no evidence foundation ever implemented
St Patrick’s Island Monastery
Order: Augustinian Canons Regular
early monastic site, founded by St Patrick burned by the Danes 798; Augustinian Canons Regular founded after 1140; dissolved 1220, transferred to a new site at Holmpatrick
St Peakaun Monastery
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, possibly founded before the time of Becan; (re?)founded by St Abban
St Saviour’s Priory
Order: Cistercian
Cistercian monks dependent on Dunbrody; possibly located in County Wexford; possible confusion with Graiguenamanagh
St Saviour’s Priory, near Derrybawn
Founded: before 1162
Order: Arroasian
Augustinian Canons Regular dependent on Holy Trinity, Dublin; purportedly founded before 1162? by St Laurence O’Toole; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian reformed probably soon after 1163; dependent on All Saints’,…
St Wolstan’s Priory
Order: Augustinian Canons Regular
Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine founded c.1205 by Richard, first prior, and Adam de Hereford; dissolved 1536, suppressed 15 September; granted to John Alen, Lord Chancellor, 1 December 1536, last prior allowed to…
St. Aibhe’s Monastery, Emly
Founded: 5th/6th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded 5th/6th century by St Ailbe; diocesan cathedral 1111 see united to Cashel 1562; secular college founded after 1505 and before 1542 by Bishop Thomas Hurley (dissolved…