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Monastic Sites

Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape

Monastic Site Kilkenny

Ullard Monastery

early monastic site, founded before 670 by St Fiachra high cross (9th c.) and ruined church (12th c.)

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Monastic Site Mayo

Urlaur Abbey

Founded: c. 1430

Order: Dominican

Dominican monks founded c. 1430 by the Angulo (Nagle) family (later assuming the name MacCostello), papal license granted 1434; dissolved 1612; granted to Sir Edward Fisher; later granted to Lord…

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Monastic Site Cavan

Urney Monastery

Gaelic monks; remains purported to be a church of the Bishop of Triburna (Kilmore)[notes 21]

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Monastic Site Westmeath

Usnagh Monastery

Founded: 5th century

Order: Early Irish

Early monastic site, a cloister founded 5th century by St Patrick; demolished when he was driven away

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Monastic Site Meath

Villa Britone

Order: Unknown

Given in taxation of 1302-6 — yet to be identified – foundation, order and period unknown

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Monastic Site Waterford

Waterford — St Catherine’s Priory

Founded: before 1207

Order: Augustinian

Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine founded before 1207 by Elias Fitz Norman; dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior Edmund Power; occupied by James Shurloke, per James White; granted to Lady Elizabeth…

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Monastic Site Waterford

Waterford — St John’s Priory Hospital

Founded: c.1190

Order: Benedictine

Benedictine monks founded c.1190 Benedictine monks and nuns from 1202; cell dependent on Bath from 1204; dissolved 1536; granted to William Wise November 1536

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Monastic Site Waterford

Waterford — St Saviour’s Priory

Founded: 1226

Order: Dominican

Dominican Friars community founded 1226; approval for priory granted by Henry III 1235 dissolved 1540; church sold to James White, occupier, by 18 January 1541; surrendered by Prior William Marten…

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Monastic Site Waterford

Waterford Cathedral

Founded: 1096

Order: Unknown

Monastic episcopal cathedral founded 1096; diocesan cathedral 1111; see united to Lismore 1363

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Monastic Site Waterford

Waterford Greyfriars

Founded: 1240-5

Order: Conventual

Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1240-5 by Sir Hugh Purcell, buried here; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1521; dissolved 1540, surrendered by ‘Prior’ John Linche 2 April 1540; granted to Patrick…

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Monastic Site Waterford

Waterford Greyfriars, later site

Founded: 1612

Order: Franciscan

Franciscan Friars founded 1612

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Monastic Site Cork

Weeme Priory

Order: Augustinian Canons Regular

Augustinian Canons Regular extant 14th century

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