Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Bonamargy Friary, Ballycastle
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1500 (c.1475) by Rory MacQuillan, Lord of Reute (or Mac Donell); dissolved 1584; burned 1589; granted to the descendants of the founder Franciscan Friars,…
Bothchonais Monastery
early monastic site, Gaelic monks, purportedly founded by Chonas, second husband of Darerca, sister of St Patrick; continuing 11th century
Bovevagh Monastery
early monastic site, purportedly founded 575 by St Colmcille; oratory burned 1100; under erenaghs until 17th century
Boyle Abbey
Founded: 6th century
Order: Cistercian
Early monastic site, possibly founded in the 5th century, possibly by St Patrick; sometimes confused with Ath-da-larc, County Meath; Cistercian monks — from Buniffi (community founded from Grelachdinach 16 August…
Brandon Mountain Monastery
early monastic site, Anchorites, purportedly founded by St Brendan of Clonfert; possibly continuing after 1111
Bridgetown Abbey
Order: Augustinian Canons Regular
Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine — from Newtown Trim and St Thomas, Dublin founded 1206-16 by Alexander Fitz Hugh; dissolved c.1545; obtained by Roger Pope of Grangegorman, surrendered to Sir…
Brigown Monastery
early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded by 6th century? St Abban; possibly not continuing after 10th century; round tower fell 1720
Buniffi Abbey
Founded: c.1158/9
Order: Cistercian
Cistercian monks — transferred from Drumconaid; probably Bunfhinne, Dromard Parish, County Sligo; dissolved 1161, transferred to Boyle