abbeys mayo

Situated on the site of an earlier monastery founded in the 7th century, this is an Augustinian Abbey founded possibly in the 12th century, and now in the grounds of Ashford Castle. it probably replaces a church which was burnt in 1137. The present Abbey may have been built by Turlough O'Connor, King of Connacht, or else by one of the O'Duffys. Of the church itself comparatively little remains, and the fine Romanesque doorway was inserted into the north wall in modern times. This doorway con...

Errew Abbey was founded by the Barretts for the Augustinian Canons in 1413. The church is a long rectangular building; although much of the dressed stonework has fallen, there are some good trefoil windows remaining, as well as a piscina. The ground floor of the domestic buildings is preserved on the eastern wing of the cloister, but otherwise little of these buildings remain. the church, however, antedates the foundation and is of 13th century date. Templenagalliaghdoo: Nearby is a sma...

Moyne Abbey and Rosserk Abbey are located close to each other, north of Ballina. Both compete for the title of largest and most impressive ecclesiastical ruins in Mayo and both have much in common. Moyne was founded by the Burke Family as a Franciscan friary. Built in the late Irish Gothic Style, it was consecrated in 1462. This abbey was destroyed in the 1590s by Queen Elizabeth's governor of Connacht, Sir Richard Bingham....

Murrisk Abbey: The picturesque ruins of the Augustinian Abbey stand in the shadow of Croagh Patrick. There is a great deal of piety, heroism, poetry and drama enshrined in the history of the Abbey. It is no wonder the ruins have been declared a National monument. The Abbey was founded in 1457 when a letter from Pope Callistus III gave permission to an Augustinian Hugh O'Malley of Banada Friary, County Sligo to establish a Church and Priory at Murrisk on land donated by Thady O'Malley who i...

The church was built, perhaps for a nunnery, in the early part of the 13th century, and consists of a nave and chancel. The church is entered through a flat-headed doorway in the north wall which may have been taken from an earlier church on the same site and inserted here, or could be one of the latest uses of this type of doorway in Ireland. Although the chancel arch with its four orders is incomplete, it still retains fine sculptured capitals including foliage and imaginary beasts. other f...

Ballintubber Abbey was founded in 1216 by Cathal Crobhdearg O'Connor, King of Connacht, near the site of the church built by St. Patrick in 441. Despite the Abbey's turbulent history, which included repression and burning, the Abbey 'refused to die' and now has the unique status of being Ireland's only royal Abbey which has been in continuous use for over 780 years. Spend some time in Ballintubber and Stroll around the grounds of the Abbey. Pray within its hallowed walls. Visit the Interpr...