List of monastic houses in County Offaly

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
Banagher Monastery		early monastic site; church of St Mary built on site, now ruined	Bennchore	53°11′21″N 7°59′13″W / 53.189105°N 7.986848°W
Birr Monastery ^#		early monastic site, founded before 573 by St Brendan of Birr; plundered by the men of Dublin 842; burned 1167	Biorra; Birra; Biror; Parsonstown	53°05′42″N 7°54′48″W / 53.094924°N 7.913255°W
Clareen Monastery		founded 6th century	St Kieran; Seir Kieran	52°59′54″N 7°54′45″W / 52.998381°N 7.912584°W
Cloghan Friary ^~		Franciscan Friars purportedly founded c.1595 by the Lord Deputy, Sir William Russell, who took Cloghan Castle from O'Madden[notes 1] — dubious
Clonmacnoise Cathedral and Monastery		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	Cluain-maccu-nois; Cluain-mic-nois; Cluan; Tipraic, with Eaglais-beaag	53°19′35″N 7°59′09″W / 53.3262952°N 7.9859075°W
Clonmacnoise Abbey		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)		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 1223; dissolved after 1500?	St Mary ____________________ Kelbygmieth; Kellogainechan; Riaghtalta Kailleach	53°19′42″N 7°58′42″W / 53.328413°N 7.978309°W
Clonsast Monastery		early monastic site, founded late 7th century by St Bearchan[notes 2]	Cluain-Sasta	53°13′18″N 7°08′13″W / 53.221597°N 7.136900°W
Cluain-an-dobhair ^~		early monastic site, not yet identified, possibly located in County Offaly
Cluain-dachrann Monastery ^~		possible chapel or cell of Rahan, possibly founded by St Carthag	erroneously Clonrane,[notes 3] County Westmeath
Craebheach Monastery ^~		early monastic site, possibly founded c.450 by St Trian, disciple of St Patrick possibly located in County Offaly, site near the River Brosna, possibly near Clonmacnois	Croebheach; Craibheach
Croghan Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 490/492	Cruachan Bri Eli	53°20′45″N 7°17′39″W / 53.345900°N 7.294051°W
Drumcullen Monastery ^~		early monastic site, founded before 591, also given located in County Westmeath[notes 4]	Druim-cuilinn	53°06′19″N 7°43′48″W / 53.105327°N 7.730009°W
Durrow Abbey		early monastic site, founded 556 or 565 by St Colmcille, site granted by Aedh mac Brendain, King of Tethba; burned 1095; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian probable double monastery with Durrow Priory (see immediately below); founded after 1144? by Murchad O'Melaghlin, possibly at the instance of St Malachy; burned 1153; burned twice 1155; destroyed by the Anglo-Normans 1175;<br /founded after; 310,317	St Mary ____________________ Dermag-coluim-cille; Diarmag-coluim-cille; Durmag-coluim-cille; Dorro; Dower; Deevo? (sic. County Westmeath)	53°19′33″N 7°31′11″W / 53.325952°N 7.51967°W
Durrow Priory ^#		Augustinian nuns — Arroasian dependent on Clonard; probable double monastery with Durrow Abbey (see immediately above); founded after 1144? by Murchad O'Melaghlin, possibly at the instance of St Malachy; dissolved after 1195?, granted to the nuns of Clonard; nuns probably transferred to Killeigh after 1195	St Mary
Gageborough Priory		nuns (order unknown) founded 13th century? by Matilda de Lacy; dissolution unknonwn		53°23′22″N 7°36′06″W / 53.389338°N 7.601802°W (approx)
Gallen Priory		founded 5th century by St Canoc; Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1140-8; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian? possibly adopted at the instance of St Malachy; ruined 1519; plundered 1531 and 1548; probably dissolved before/c.1585; granted to Sir Gerald More 1612; reoccupied after 1620 probably refounded by the MacCoghlans, benefactors	Gallimh; Galeang; Galin; Galynn; Glinnensis	53°15′45″N 7°49′24″W / 53.262616°N 7.823314°W
Kilbian Monastery ^≈		early monastic site, founded 583,[notes 5] possibly by St Abban,[notes 6] possibly located in County Offaly	Kilmbian?
Kilcolgan Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Colgan son of Kellach	Cell-colgain	53°16′18″N 7°46′56″W / 53.271625°N 7.782259°W (approx?)
Kilcolman Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Colman Niger (possibly Colman of Duir-mor)	Cell-colmain; Insula Vitae[notes 7]	53°02′53″N 7°52′35″W / 53.048184°N 7.876347°W
Kilcomin Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 669	Cell-cumain; Disert Chuimin	52°58′07″N 7°57′46″W / 52.968569°N 7.962664°W
Kilcormac Friary		Carmelite Friars founded 1406 by Odo (Hugh), son of Nellan Mulloy, buried here; dissolved before 1579?; granted to George Cowley 1579; granted to Robert Leicester, probably after 1599	St Mary ____________________ Cell-chormaic; Kil-carmic; Kil-marmick; Frankford	53°10′38″N 7°43′35″W / 53.177279°N 7.726312°W
Killagally Monastery ^≈		early monastic site	Kilalga? (County Meath)
Killeigh Priory ^+=		early monastic site abbey founded before 549 by St Sinchell, son of Cenandan; Augustinian Canons Regular dependent on Durrow; priory founded after 1144?; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian probably adopted before 1148 or after 1163; dissolved c.1569; granted to John Lee 1576; temporal possessions granted to Gerald, Earl of Kildare 1578; church became parochial; remains incorporated into C.I. parish church	The Holy Cross[notes 8] St Mary (15th century)	53°12′56″N 7°27′15″W / 53.215439°N 7.454299°W
Killeigh Priory (nuns) ^#		Augustinian Canonesses — Arroasian? founded after 1195?; dissolved c.1569?		53°12′45″N 7°27′05″W / 53.212381°N 7.451327°W
Killeigh Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1293? (before 1303) by Edward I; dissolved c.1598, buildings destroyed c.1598; granted to John Allee, friars apparently remained in the area Observant Franciscan Friars adopted 1632		53°12′49″N 7°27′11″W / 53.213537°N 7.453140°W
Killyon Monastery		early monastic site, nuns founded 5th century (after the death of his father) by St Ciaran for his mother, Liedania	Cell-liadain; Kil-liadhuin	53°05′56″N 7°48′52″W / 53.098990°N 7.814488°W
Kilmeelchon Monastery		early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Gussacht mac Milchon; extant 883	Cell-mic-milchon	53°11′24″N 8°00′33″W / 53.189969°N 8.009277°W (approx)
Kinnitty Monastery ^#		early monastic site, possibly founded by 557; plundered by Norsemen 842; site possibly marked by a High cross within a churchyard		[1] 53°06′11″N 7°41′51″W / 53.102991°N 7.697404°W (possibly)
Lemanaghan Monastery		early monastic site, founded c.645-6 by St Managhan?, land granted to the community at Clonmacnoise; extant 893; apparently extant 1205	St Managhan ____________________ Leith-manchain; Liath-manchain; Manchan Leith; Tuaim nEirc	53°17′35″N 7°44′37″W / 53.292955°N 7.743662°W
Lusmagh Monastery		early monastic site, founded 7th century by St Cronan	Herbosus Campus	53°10′21″N 8°01′13″W / 53.172630°N 8.020384°W (?)
Lusmagh Friary ^≈ø		Franciscan Friars — possibly never established	Clochincantualaig?
Lynally Monastery ^#		Columban monks founded c.590 by St Colman Elo; burned by Dohmnall mac Murchadh 970	Lann-Elo; Lann-Eala; Linnalli; Lynnealla	53°15′55″N 7°33′21″W / 53.265325°N 7.555737°W
Monasteroris Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1325 by John de Bermingham, Earl of Louth; Observant Franciscan Friars adopted before 1507; dissolved after 1542; granted to Nicholas Herbert before 1587	Feoruis; Macfeorais; Mainister-oras; Moitot; Mortoto; Thetmoy; Totmoy; Tuaith-maigh	53°20′51″N 7°05′02″W / 53.347482°N 7.083776°W
Roscrea — Mount St Joseph's Abbey *		Cistercian monks — Trappist — from Mount Melleray Abbey, County Waterford founded 1878; extant		[2] 52°57′49″N 7°51′21″W / 52.963697°N 7.855793°W
Rahan Monastery		early monastic site, monks founded c.590-635, purportedly by Camelacus, Patrician bishop; great monastery founded by St Carthach (Mochuda); suggested[notes 9] Augustinian Canons Regular briefly, possibly after 1171 — improbable and documentary evidence lacking	St Carthach ____________________ Raihen; Rath-an; Rath-enin; Rath-yne	53°16′42″N 7°36′43″W / 53.278453°N 7.611889°W
Rathlihen Monastery		early monastic site, founded before c.540 by St Illand	Rathlipthen; Rathlibthen	53°11′57″N 7°38′57″W / 53.199240°N 7.649184°W
Reynagh Monastery		early monastic site, nuns	Cell-rignaighe; Kill-rignaighe; suggested Kilrane,[notes 10] County Wexford	53°09′22″N 7°57′36″W / 53.156009°N 7.960020°W
Seirkieran Priory		early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Ciaran; Augustinian Canons Regular founded before c.1170; dissolved 1568, surrendered 27 December 1568	St Ciaran; St Mary ____________________ Saiger Chiarain; Saegir-Querayn; St Keranus de Sayr Kieran de Sayr; Sayrkeran; Syrkyeran	53°04′13″N 7°47′33″W / 53.070405°N 7.792536°W
Tihelly Monastery ^#		early monastic site founded 5th century; burned 670;	Tihilly; Tech-telle; Tech-taille; Tehelly; Templekieran	53°18′39″N 7°32′39″W / 53.310881°N 7.544072°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. Cassell, Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland ii, p.52
2. O. S. Muirthuile, Tullamore Official Guide, p.16; E. Hogan, Onomasticon Goedelicum, R.I.A., 1910 p.270
3. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.708
4. Harris's Table, Ware-Harris, Antiquities, 1745, p.264 and Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.709
5. Conry
6. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p398
7. Ordnance Survey
8. James Ware, De Hibernia, et Antiquitatibus ejus, 1654 edition
9. Journal, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, xxvi. p.317
10. E. Hogan, S. J., Onomasticon Goedelicum, R.I.A., 1910, p.210

References

1. "High Cross Kinnitty". megalithicireland.com.
2. Mount St Joseph Abbey Roscrea

See also

• List of monastic houses in Ireland