Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Clonfert, Monygayun Abbey
Order: Arroasian
Augustinian nuns — Arroasian dependent on Kilcreevanty from before 1223; dissolved during the reign of Elizabeth I
Clonguffin Monastery
Founded: before 760
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, nuns, founded before 760 by St Fintana?
Clonkeen Monastery
Founded: 6th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, purportedly founded 6th century by St Munchin; monastic lands recorded as late as 1615
Clonkeenkerrill Friary
Order: Franciscan Friars Minor
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded c.1435 by Thomas O’Kelly, Bishop of Clonfert, converting the church into a friary at the instance of David and John Mullkerrill; Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual…
Clonleigh Monastery
early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded c.530 by St Colmcille; possibly continuing after 1111; erenaghs until 16th-17th century
Clonmacnoise Abbey
Order: Arroasian
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian? founded 12th century separate from the cathedral (see immediately above); dissolution date unknown — later abbots (up to 1384) may have been titular
Clonmacnoise Abbey (nuns)
Founded: before 1026
Order: Arroasian
Early monastic site, nuns founded before 1026; Augustinian nuns — Arroasian; dependent on Clonard; refounded c.1144? by Devorghilla, daughter of Murchad O Melaghlin; St Mary’s church rebuilt dependent on Kilcreevanty…
Clonmacnoise Cathedral and Monastery
Founded: unknown
Order: Arroasian
Early monastic site; diocesan cathedral 1111; Augustinian Canons Regular founded after 1140; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian? refounded? c.1144; dissolved c.1268; secular college founded 1459;; dissolved 1568
Clonmany Monastery
early monastic site, Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Colmcille; probably continuing after 1111