abbeys ireland

William Marshall founded an Abbey here for the Cistercians in 1207, though the monks may have settled here before that date. One of the best preserved Cistercian abbeys in Ireland, its church - splendidly restored in 1974-1980- consists of a nave and chancel with an aisle on each side. Although earlier restorations of 1813 and 1886 have covered much of the walls, the decoration of the capitals and the shapes of the arches can still be seen. The present floor of the church is about 7 feet abov...

Dating back to 1170 Dunbrody is an excellent example of a Cistercian Monastery in Ireland. It's located about 8 miles south of the County Wexford town of New Ross.
The site of the ruins of Dunbrody Castle now houses a craft shop with quality hand-made local crafts. There is a small museum within the tearooms with family information and a very large dolls house - a scale replica of the castle. There is a small pitch and putt course and a full size hedge maze - one of only two in Ireland...

A Cistercian Abbey built in 1200 AD. Currently under restoration. Founded by William the Earl Marshal, in fulfillment of his promise - made when on a stormy sea voyage - to do so if the Lord spared him....

An Abbey dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and founded for the Cistercians from Boyle in 1189-90 by Cathal Crovdearg O'Connor, King of Connacht. The church has a nave, chancel and a transept with two chapels. The nave is simple and austere, with little ornament except at the top of the pillars. In contrast, the rib-vaulted chancel has beautifully carved stonework with fine capitals and east windows. It has a 13th century tomb niche.

On the north wall of the chancel is a unique...

Returning to Bealaclugga, take a left turn off the N67 for Carran. The next left turn leads to Corcomroe (signposted). This was a Cistercian foundation of the 12th century, established in 1180 by Donal Mor O'Brien. The first monks were drawn from Inishlounaght near Clonmel in Co. Tipperary, a Cistercian abbey dating from 1148. The remains include, beside the church, fragments of cloister, an infirmary-guesthouse and gatehouse. The church has an altar-tomb in the north wall of the chancel, s...

About 3km from Ballinamore lies a ruined medieval church built on the site of an early Christian monastery founded by St Caillin. The Abbey was used for a time as a place of Church of Ireland worship until the present church was built nearby circa 1798....

The only surviving remnant of an early monastery here is the 9th/10th century High Cross situated on a dominant hillock overlooking the lake. It would appear to be the only High Cross in Northern Ireland where the shaft and head of the cross are likely to have belonged together originally. Old Testament scenes decorate the east face (Adam and Eve, Sacrifice of Isaac, Daniel in the Lions' Den and Three Hebrews in the Fiery Furnace) and south side (Cain slaying Abel, David [or Sampson?] and the...

Fore, approximately 15 miles from Mullingar has the most extensive Benedictine remains in Ireland. It is the site of the ruins of St. Fechin's Monastery and was a Benedictine Priory until 1539 when it was suppressed by Henry VIII.

The present building belongs in the main to the 15th century. There are nine ancient crosses within a radius of a mile from the village. Near the foot of Ben Fore (713 feet) is a large moat, reputed to be an early Anglo-Norman Fortification. There are a...

St. Mary's Abbey is one of Dublin's best kept secrets. Once the wealthiest Cistercian Abbey in Ireland, today it is unrecognisable. Two rooms remain - the Chapter House and the Slype. The Abbey, founded in 1139, played a large role in the affairs of the state until its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1539. It was the Chapter House that 'Silken' Thomas Fitzgerald started his unsuccessful rebellion in 1534.

Today it contains a fascinating exhibition put together by Duchas The Heritage Ser...

Climb on board for a short train ride - or travel further afield on a special mainline steam excursion. Many engines and coaches are on display in transport museums and railway centres, with memorabilia from the golden age of steam. The first railway in Ireland opened in 1834, and the network quickly reached into all corners of the island. By 1920 almost 3,500 miles of track threaded the countryside and no Irish town was more than 10 miles from a railway station. Ireland's national railw...