List of monastic houses in County Clare

Overview

In this article smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks) and camerae of the military orders of monks (Templars and Hospitallers) are included. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptory/commandery.

Article layout

Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.

Formal Name or Dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.

Alternative Names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.

Monastic Glossary: following the listing, provides links to articles on the particular monastic orders as well as other terms which appear in the listing.

Abbreviations and Key

The sites listed are ruins or fragmentary remains unless indicated thus: * current monastic function + current non-monastic ecclesiastic function ^ current non-ecclesiastic function = remains incorporated into later structure # no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains ~ exact site of monastic foundation unknown ø possibly no such monastic foundation at location ¤ no such monastic foundation ≈ identification ambiguous or confused Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).

Trusteeship denoted as follows: NM National Monument C.I. Church of Ireland R.C. Roman Catholic Church

Alphabetical listing of establishments

Foundation	Image	Communities & Provenance	Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names	OnLine References & Location
Behagh Friary ^ø		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular[notes 1] — probable mistaken identification of Beagh, County Galway	Beagh
Bishop's Island Monastery		Gaelic monks founded 6th century by St Senan; remains of eremite monastery[notes 2]		[1][2] 52°40′29″N 9°41′28″W / 52.6746647°N 9.6910572°W
Canon Island Abbey		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1180? by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, probably on site of early monastery (see immediately below); dissolved before 1577; granted to Henry, Earl of Thomond; (NM)	Inisnegananagh Priory; Inis-negananagh; Inis-negananagad; Insula Canonicorum; Elanagranoch; Elaunaganaghe; Island of Saints	52°40′45″N 9°02′14″W / 52.6790690°N 9.0370970°W
Canon Island Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded by St Senan; site possibly later occupied by Augustinian abbey (see immediately above)
Ceannindis Monastery ^~		early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Comgan of Killeshin; possibly located in County Clare	Cenn-indis; Cenn-innis
Clare Abbey, Clarecastle		Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1189 or 1191 by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick; dissolved c.1543; granted to Henry, Earl of Thomond 1661; (NM)	The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Clareabbey ____________________ Clareabbey; Clar; Clair; Clayr; Cleara; de Forgio; Forgy	52°49′44″N 8°58′09″W / 52.829006°N 8.969058°W
Corcomroe Abbey		suggested early monastic site, Irish monks founded 1175?; Cistercian monks from Inish-lounaght; founded 1194/5, endowed by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick; dissolved after 1600; granted to Richard Harding (date unknown); (NM)	The Abbey Church of Saint Mary of the Fertile Rock, Corcomroe ____________________ Corcomruad; Corcamer; Corcumro; Petra Fertili Sancta Maria de Petra Fertili	[3] 53°07′36″N 9°03′14″W / 53.1267663°N 9.0539575°W
Drim Friary		Franciscan Friars — place of refuge; founded c.1740, expelled from Quin; dissolved 1820 (death of last friar)		[4][5]
Drumcliff Monastery		Gaelic monks founded 6th century reputedly by St Colmcille		[6][7] 52°52′04″N 8°59′51″W / 52.867895°N 8.997550°W
Dysert O Dea Monastery		Gaelic monks founded before 735 by Tola; remains of 12th-century church on site	Dissert O'Dea; Disert O'Dea; Dysart O'Dea; Disert-Tola	[8][9] 52°54′33″N 9°04′06″W / 52.909244°N 9.068390°W
Ennis Friary *		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1240-7 (before 1242? or c.1284) by Donchad Cairbreach O'Brien (Donatus Carbrac O'Brien), King of Thomond; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1536-40 (1550); dissolved; granted to the Earl of Thomond 1578; granted to William Dongan Esq.; dissolved on the death of the last friar 1617; friars returned 1628; expelled 1651; friars returned c.1660; expelled 1693; in use as C.I. parish church 1615; Franciscan Friars founded 1841; acquired 1854; Provincial Novitiate House 1877; Novitiate House of the Irish Province 1902; extant	Nave: St Francis ____________________ Innse-an-laoigh; Inis-an-laoigh; Ennis-an-laoigh; Inis-cluan-ruada; Iniscluanramhfada	[10][11][12] 52°50′46″N 8°58′54″W / 52.846016°N 8.981610°W
Ennis Nunnery ^ø		supposed nuns — erroneous interpretation[notes 3]
Ennis Monastery *		Poor Clares		52°50′41″N 8°58′45″W / 52.8447748°N 8.9790673°W
Enniskerry Monastery		early monastic site, oratory built by St Senan of Scattery	Mutton Island; Inis-caorach	52°48′47″N 9°30′45″W / 52.813077°N 9.512596°W
Ennistimon Monastery		Gaelic monks	Ennistymon; Omos-timain; Inis-tomen; Inis-diomain	52°56′16″N 9°18′05″W / 52.9377762°N 9.3014717°W
Feenish Monastery ^~		Gaelic nuns founded (in the time of St Senan of Scattery) by St Brigid, daughter of Conchraid of the Mactail family?	Inis-fidhe; Fidh-inis; Cluain-fidhe; Finish	52°42′21″N 8°58′20″W / 52.7058791°N 8.972311°W (approx)
Glencolumbkille Abbey		Columban monks founded by St Columcille; CI Church on site	Glan Columb-chille; Glann-columcille; Glenn-choluimchille; Glenn-coluimbcille	53°02′23″N 9°00′57″W / 53.039723°N 9.015871°W
Illaunmore Monastery		Gaelic monks founded 7th/8th century; possibly not surviving after the 10th century (historically located in County Galway)	Oilenmor; Mucinis Monastery? (v. infra)	52°58′03″N 8°17′28″W / 52.967378°N 8.291208°W
Illaunmore, ^ø Lough Derg		possible monastic site — order and period unknown		52°35′57″N 9°46′21″W / 52.5991117°N 9.7725964°W
Inchicronan Priory		early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century by patron, St Cronan of Tuamgraney;[notes 4] Augustinian Canons Regular — from Clareabbey dependent on Clare; founded c.1198? by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, who granted the island to Clare; parish church 1302, built on the site of an earlier monastery; dissolved c.1543; restored and in use by 'friars' in the reign of Elizabeth; church restored for parochial use 1615 by Donogh, Earl of Thomond; granted to Henry, Earl of Thomond 1661; (NM)	Conventual Priory of St Mary, Ynyscronan (1421); ____________________ Inchycronayne; Inis-cronain; Inchycronayn	52°55′05″N 8°54′23″W / 52.917942°N 8.906492°W
Inishcealtra Monastery, Inishcealtra (Holy Island)		early monastic site, founded 653 by St Camin, buried here; suggested Augustinian Canons Regular — evidence lacking	Iniskeltair Abbey; Iniscealtra; Inis Cealtra; Inishcaltra; Iniscaltra; Inis-celtra; Inis-keltair	[13][14] 52°54′56″N 8°26′54″W / 52.915574°N 8.448333°W
Inisanlaoi Monastery	monastic site, unknown order and foundation, actually Ennis Franciscan Friary (supra)[notes 5]		Inis-anlaoige
Inishloe Abbey		Gaelic monks founded by Turlogh, King of Thomond, buried here; on an island in the Shannon Estuary between Scattery and Limerick[notes 6]	Inis-luaidh; Inis-lua	52°40′42″N 9°00′59″W / 52.6783099°N 9.016424°W
Inish-loinge		nuns, founded 6th century (in the time of St Senan),[notes 7] sited between Scattery and Limerick	Inis-luinge; Inishloinge
Inishmore Monastery		tradition of early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Senan on Deer Island, but Canon Island possibly the site of this foundation of Senan's	Inchmore; Deer Island?	52°42′50″N 9°02′08″W / 52.7137856°N 9.0354784°W (approx possible site)
Inis-tuaischert		early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Senan, possibly County Clare, possibly a small island in the Fergus Estuary
Kilballyowen Monastery		monastic site, unknown foundation and order church built to the south of the site, now in ruins in a cemetery		52°35′52″N 9°47′11″W / 52.5977497°N 9.7863668°W
Kilcarragh Monastery		hospital or monastery; granted to John King		[15] 52°59′14″N 9°13′29″W / 52.9871747°N 9.2246103°W
Kilfarboy Monastery ^ø~		early monastic site, also given as Kilfobrick, County Meath[notes 8]	Cell-fobric; Kilfobrick
Kilfenora Monastery ^+		Celtic monks, purportedly founded by St Fachnan (possibly Fachtnan, founder of Ross Carbery) probably continuing after 1111; episcopal diocesan cathedral probably by 1152; extant	Fenabore; Cell-fionnabrach; Cell-findabrach; Cell-umabrach; Fynabore	52°54′56″N 9°12′55″W / 52.915630°N 9.2153406°W
Killadusert Monastery		Gaelic monks founder unknown	Killadysert; Disert-murthaile; Kildysert	52°40′12″N 9°06′16″W / 52.6701076°N 9.1045258°W?
Killaloe Monastery		Gaelic monks founded 10th century; episcopal diocesan cathedral 1111 monastery probably continuing after 1111 and throughout the 12th century, though evidence lacking; church becoming CI cathedral 1546	Laonia; Cell-da-lua; Kildalua	52°48′23″N 8°26′21″W / 52.8065038°N 8.4392971°W
Killinaboy Monastery		early monastic site, founded by Ingrid Baoith		52°58′13″N 9°05′08″W / 52.9703205°N 9.0854686°W
Killone Abbey		Augustinian Nuns founded c.1189 (or monks founded 1120) by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick on site owned by Clare Abbey; dissolved before 1584; ruinous by 1617; now in the grounds of Newhall House, with public access	The Abbey Church of Saint John the Baptist, Killone ____________________ Killoen; St John de Thomon	52°48′22″N 9°00′16″W / 52.806224°N 09.004370°W
Kilnagallech Monastery ^~		Gaelic nuns probable cell	Kinagalliagh; Kilnagellech; Cell-eochaille; Cell-na-Caillech; Kill-nac-caillech	52°38′53″N 9°33′54″W / 52.6480629°N 9.5650148°W (approx)
Kilshanny Abbey		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1194 by Donal Mor O'Brien, King of Thomond; dissolved before 1581?; granted to Robert Hickman	probably St Mary and St Augustine ____________________ Kilshonny; Cell-seanaig; Kil-feanye; Kil-teanna; Kyllsenayd	[3][16][17] 52°58′38″N 9°17′15″W / 52.977224°N 9.2875205°W
Mucinis Monastery ^~		early monastic site, plundered by Norsemen 922; possibly County Clare, either at Hog Island or Lough Derg	Muicinis Riagail; Muck-inis; Hog Island; Pig Island possibly Illaunmore (v. supra)	52°37′13″N 9°29′58″W / 52.6203375°N 9.499322°W (approx) or 52°55′10″N 8°25′22″W / 52.9194475°N 8.4226618°W (approx)
Noughaval Monastery		Gaelic monks founded by St Mogua	Nuachongbhail	[18][19] 53°00′57″N 9°10′49″W / 53.0157716°N 9.1803219°W
Oughtmama Monastery		early monastic site, associated with three saints named St. Colmán, one from Ceinéal Laoghaire of Meath, one from Eoghanachta of Munster, and one from Uí Bhriúin of Connacht[20][21]	Ucht Máma	53°7′0.7″N 9°2′19.65″W / 53.116861°N 9.0387917°W
Quin Abbey		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1402; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1433 by Macon MacNamara; dissolved 1541, though friars remained in occupation; granted to Conor O'Brien, Baron Ibracken 1543; confirmed to the Earls of Thomond 1577; granted to Sir Tirlagh O'Brien, of Irishdyman 1583; burnt 1584; repaired and refounded by Roman Catholics 1604; friars expelled 1617; returned c.1626; friars expelled 1637; (NM)	Quin Friary; Quinchy	52°49′04″N 8°51′31″W / 52.8176513°N 8.8586712°W
Rath Monastery ^#		Gaelic monks founded by St Blathmac; stump of round tower demolished 1838	Rathblathmaic	[22] 52°55′03″N 9°05′08″W / 52.9174088°N 9.0855454°W
Rossmanagher Monastery		Gaelic nuns	Ros-bendchuir; Ross-Bennchoir	52°43′14″N 8°47′09″W / 52.7204902°N 8.7858868°W
Scattery Island Monastery		Celtic monks founded 6th century by St Senan (or by St Patrick); granted to the Mayor and Corporation of Limerick c.1577	Inishscattery	52°36′51″N 9°31′01″W / 52.6142015°N 9.5168316°W
Tomfinlough Monastery		Gaelic monks; probably not continuing after the 10th century; site now occupied by remains of Tomfinlough church	Finlough	52°46′59″N 8°50′22″W / 52.7830388°N 8.8395309°W
Tomgraney Abbey		Gaelic monks	Tomgrany; Tuamgranney; Tuamgraney	52°53′51″N 8°32′31″W / 52.8975644°N 8.5420418°W
Tulla Abbey		Gaelic monks		52°52′01″N 8°45′24″W / 52.86685°N 8.7565327°W

Glossary

Orders: Augustinian Augustinian Canons Regular / Austin Canons / Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) - Arrouasian / (Arroasian) - Victorine - Holy Sepulchre Austin Friars (Augustinian Friars) Augustinian Recollects Benedictine / Order of St Benedict (O.S.B.) Bonshommes Bridgettine / Briggittine Carmelites Carmelites (White Friars) Carthusians Cistercian Cluniac Crutched Friars / (Crouched Friars / Crossed Friars / Fratres Cruciferi / Brethren of the Holy Cross) Culdee Dominican (Black Friars) / Ordinis Praedicatorum (Order of Preachers) (O.P.) / Friars Preachers Franciscan (Grey Friars) Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (The Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.) / Ordo Fratrum Minorum) Capuchin (Order of Friars Minor Capuchin) Franciscan Observants Franciscan, Third Order Regular Franciscan Recollects Minoresses (Poor Clares) Friars of the Order of Blessed Mary (Friars of St Mary / Fratres Beatae Mariae) Friars of Penitence of Jesus Christ (Friars of the Sack) Gilbertine Grandmontine Military Orders Knights Hospitaller / Hospitallers / Order of Hospitallers / Knights of Saint John / Order of Saint John Order of the Holy Sepulchre Knights Templar / Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon / Order of the Temple / Templars Order of Saint Lazarus

St. Lazarus Hospitallers Premonstratensian Savignac Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Sisters of St John of Jerusalem Tironensian Trappist Trinitarian (Maturines) Valliscaulian General terms: Abbots / Abbesses / Abbey Alien House Anchorites Camera (pl. Cameræ) Canons Canons Regular cell Commandery Double monastery Friars / Friary Friars Eremites / anchorites Hermits Mendicants Monks Nuns / Nunnery Preceptor / Preceptory Priors / Prioresses / Priory Secular canons

Map link to lists of monastic houses in Ireland by county

Click on a county to go to the corresponding article

Antrim Armagh Down Fermanagh Londonderry Tyrone Carlow Cavan Clare Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow

Notes

1. Behagh given as County Clare by Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.43 (W. B. Kelly, Dublin, publication p.72), mis-citing Sir James Ware; local tradition of friary at Behagh in County Clare probably originate from Archdall's error
2. Bishop's Island remains of monastery, foundation attributed to St Senan — Lord Killanin & M. V. Duignan, Shell Guide to Ireland, 1962, (new edition 1967), p.321 (though not in 1989 edition)
3. Ennis nuns — Wars of Turlogh, (E. B. Fitzmaurice & A. G. Little, Materials for History of the Franciscan Province of Ireland pp.80-1) taken to refer to nuns; communications of Canice Mooney, OFM, point out that the word used,'caileach', translates as 'chalice', as opposed to 'cailleach' (nun)
4. Inchicronan "ruins of...Augustinian priory...on a site whose history goes back to St Crónán of Tuamgraney" — Lord Killanin & M. V. Duignan, Shell Guide to Ireland, 1962, (new edition 1967), p.184 (p.124 in 1989 edition)
5. Inislanlaoi — listed as a separate foundation at Ennis by Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.77
6. Inishloe (Inislua) — location given by Mervyn Archdall Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786
7. Inish-loinge — "penitentiarius de Inis-Lauidhe" — Acta Sanctorum ... Hiberniae, compiled by John Colgan, 1645, pp.537, 540
8. Kilfarboy — given as Kilfobrick — Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.52

References

1. Clare People: Saint Senan
2. Clare
3. Abbey, or Corcomroe-Abbey (Barony of Burren)
6. Monastic Sites In Ireland - GoIreland
7. Drumcliffe
8. Dysert O'Dea - The Clare Archaeology Centre
9. The Burren: Dysert O'Dea Church
10. Friaries In Ireland - GoIreland
13. The Coming of Christianity to Clare and the evolution of the Diocese of Killaloe and Kilfenora
14. https://web.archive.org/20071118204209/http://www.clare.ie/members/listing.php?id=17. Archived from the original on November 18, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
15. Statistical Survey of the County of Clare 1808 - Chapter V.25
16. The History and Topography of the County of Clare by James Frost: Chapter 7 - Kilshanny Parish
17. https://web.archive.org/20100913073838/http://www.lisdoonvarnakilshanny.com:80/pages.asp?pageid=75584. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
18. Monastic Sites In Ireland - GoIreland
19. Saints and Stones: Noughaval Church
20. Ó Riain, Pádraig (2011). A Dictionary of Irish Saints. Dublin: Four Courts Press. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-84682-318-3.
21. Gwynn, Aubrey; Hadcock, R. Neville (1970). Medieval Religious Houses Ireland. London: Longman. p. 400.

See also

• List of monastic houses in Ireland