Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Behagh Friary (Irish: Mainistir na Beithí)
Order: Franciscan Friars
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular[notes 22] — probable mistaken identification of Beagh, County Galway
Bellaneeny Friary
Founded: c.1437
Order: Carmelite
Camelite Friars dependent on Eglish; founded after c.1437; dissolved c.1567, possibly abandoned by the Carmelites; leased to Edmund O’Fallon of Athlone 1575; Franciscan Friars? possibly in occupation in the 16th…
Bethlehem Convent
Founded: c.1725 and c.1750
Order: Poor Clares
Poor Clares nuns founded between c.1725 and c.1750
Bewley Camera
Order: Knights Templar
Purported Knights Templar foundation unknown; dissolution unknown; remains of monastic building 1774; ‘Abbey’
Beybeg Cell
Founded: before 1216
Order: Benedictine
Cistercian monks — from Beaubec, France founded before 1216, manor granted by Walter de Lacy to the monks of St Mary and St Laurence de Bellow Becco, confirmed by Henry…
Billa Monastery
Founded: 7th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded 7th century by St Fechin of Fore
Birr Monastery
Founded: before 573
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded before 573 by St Brendan of Birr; plundered by the men of Dublin 842; burned 1167
Bishop’s Island Monastery (Irish: Mainistir Oileán an Easpaig)
Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Senan; remains of eremite monastery
Bishop’s Island Monastery (Irish: Mainistir Oileán an Easpaig)
Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Senan; remains of eremite monastery[notes 23]