Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Castledermot Priory
Order: Knights Templar (according to tradition)
Knights Templar? (according to tradition) Fratres Cruciferi (re)founded before 1216 by Lord Walter de Ridlesford (during the reign of King John); dissolved 1540 St John’s Tower is the only surviving…
Castlekeeran Monastery
Founded: 8th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded 8th century by St Ciaran; plundered by Norsmen 949; burned by MacMurrough 1170
Castleknock Priory
Order: Benedictine monks
Benedictine monks dependent on Little Malvern; founded c.1185 by Hugh Tyrrell, Lord of Castleknock; erroneously also given as Augustinian[notes 85] dissolved before 1485
Castlelyons Friary
Order: Carmelite Friars
Carmelite Friars founded 1307-9 (1324) from within the de Barry family, (John de Barry[notes 39]), who had been granted license to alienate an area of land for a Carmelite friary…
Cathair-mac-conchaid Monastery
Founded: 7th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded by the 7th century
Cavan Friary
Order: claims of Dominican Friars
claims of Dominican Friars prior to Franciscans[notes 18] — evidence lacking; Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1325-30 by Giolla O’Reilly (Gila-Isu Roe O’Reilly, Lord of Muintur-Maelmordha); Observant Franciscan Friars…
Ceannindis Monastery ~
early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Comgan of Killeshin; possibly located in County Clare
Celbridge Abbey *
built 1697 by Bartholomew Van Homrigh, Lord Mayor of Dublin; St John of God Hospitallers operated as a care home
Cell Tog Monastery
Founded: 5th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded in the 5th century by Cainnech, bishop and monk of St Patrick