Monastic Sites
Discover Ireland's ancient monasteries and abbeys that shaped the spiritual landscape
Ardagh Monastery
Founded: 5th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site founded 5th century by St Patrick or St Mel? diocesan cathedral 1111
Ardamine Monastery
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded by St Maedoc of Ferns, granted to St Maedoc by Dyma
Ardboe Monastery
Founded: late 6th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded late 6th century; burned 1166; destroyed by John de Courcey in 1198
Ardcarn Friary
Order: Franciscan
Recorded as Franciscan Friars — no monastic house; Friars of Knockvicar owned land in the parish
Ardcarn Priory
Founded: 6th century
Order: Arroasian
Early monastic site, founded in the 6th century; diocesan cathedral; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian? founded after 1144?; church possibly shared by Canons and nuns (see immediately below); dissolved c.1593?;…
Ardcavan Monastery
Founded: 7th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded 7th century? by St Coeman mac Colman, or Colmad, brother of St Degan?; plundered 819; erenagh land into mid-11th century
Ardclinis Friary ø
Order: Franciscan Friars
tradition of house of Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular — evidence lacking
Ardcolm Monastery
Founded: 6th century
Order: Early Irish
Early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille