Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Ardnacrany Friary
Founded: c.1291
Order: Carmelite
Carmelite Friars founded c.1291 by Robert Dillon, Lord of Drumrany, possibly without license; (erroneously purported Dominican Friars) possibly the house licensed 1329; dissolved c.1540; granted to Robert Dillon 1546 friars…
Ardnaree Friary, Ballina
Founded: before 1400
Order: Augustinian
Augustinian Friars founded before 1400 by the O’Dowda family; partial collapse and rebuilding, possibly refounded by Tagd O’Dowda; dissolution unknown, friars thought to have retained until 1577–82, remaining in the…
Ardpatrick Monastery
Founded: 5th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick, purportedly a leper hospital, more likely a hospital for the sick
Ardsenlis Monastery
Founded: 5th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, nuns founded in the 5th century by St Patrick; possibly located in County Roscommon
Ardstraw Monastery
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded by St Eugene; diocesan cathedral c.581; see transferred to Maghera c.1152; erenaghs until early 17th century
Ardtrea Monastery
Founded: 5th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, nuns founded 5th century by St Trea
Arklow Abbey
Founded: before 1204
Order: Cistercian
Cistercian monks — from Wyresdale; founded before 1204; dissolved 1205, transferred to Abington
Arklow Priory
Founded: 1264
Order: Dominican
Dominican Friars founded 1264 by Thomas Theobald fitz Walter, Pincerna (Butler) of Ireland, buried here; dissolved 1539; granted to John Travers 1544