Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Knockvicar Friary
Order: Dominican
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular foundation unknown erroneously referred to as Dominican Friars, purportedly by the Bingham family, however they were not in Ireland at the time; dissolved c.1583-4; granted…
Kylemore Abbey
Order: Benedictine nuns
Benedictine nuns Abbey founded in 1920 by nuns from Ypres, Belgium. Mansion served as convent boarding school until closure in 2010
Labbamolaga Monastery
Gaelic monks founded 7th century by St Molaga of Timoleague, reputedly buried here
Lackan Monastery
Founded: 5th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded 5th century? possibly by St Patrick?; possibly in existence 946; remains extant 1837
Lady’s Abbey
Founded: after 1314
Order: Carmelite
Carmelite nuns founded after 1314?; dissolved c.1541?
Lady’s Island Priory
Order: Augustinian
Augustinian Canons Regular possible cell of Ferns prior to 14th century; purportedly Augustinian Friars dissolved 17th century? (in the time of Cromwell?)
Lambeg Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1500 by Phelim O’Neil (or M’Donnell); dissolved before 1572, probably destroyed by O’Neil to prevent use as a fort by the English
Lan More Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular foundation unknown; dissolution unknown; possibly County Londonderry or County Antrim
Layd Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars
tradition of church now ruined belonging to Franciscan Friars purportedly founded by the sept of McFall (Macfaull) evidence lacking; also suggested as nuns or Dominican Friars
Leamakevoge Monastery
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded by St Mochemoc (Pulcherius); also erroneously given as County Offaly, by confusion with Manchán of Lemanaghan