List of monastic houses in County Westmeath

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
Ardcharn Monastery ^≈		early monastic site — actually located in County Roscommon	Ardcharn in Westmeath
Ardnacrany Friary		Carmelite Friars founded c.1291 by Robert Dillon, Lord of Drumrany, possibly without license; (erroneously purported Dominican Friars) possibly the house licensed 1329; dissolved c.1540; granted to Robert Dillon 1546 friars re-established in Moate	Ardicarne; Athnecarne	53°31′28″N 7°46′43″W / 53.524391°N 7.778537°W
Athlone Priory		Cluniac monks — possibly from France traditionally founded c.1150 by Turlough O'Conor, High King of Ireland; in existence before 1208-10; dissolved c.1542, before 1567; granted to Sir Richard Bingham, Commissioner for Galway, c.1589	St Peter; SS Peter and Paul ____________________ Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon; de Innocentia	[1] 53°25′34″N 7°56′34″W / 53.426187°N 7.942855°W
Athlone Franciscan Friary *		Franciscan Friars founded c.1723; extant		[2] 53°25′23″N 7°56′16″W / 53.422923°N 7.937898°W
Athlone Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded c.1239 by Charles de Burgo or the Dillon family (possibly Sir Henry Dillon) or the Digby family (earlier attribution of founding 1224 by Cathal Crovderg O'Conor dubious); church consecrated 1241; dissolved 1567-8: destroyed; friars probably remained in the community in the town; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1587; moved to place of refuge at Killinure, infra; new house built nearby (see immediately below)	Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon	[3]
Athlone Greyfriars		Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1626		[4] 53°25′22″N 7°56′18″W / 53.422770°N 7.938286°W
Athlone Monastery		early monastic site according to tradition (historically County Roscommon)	Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon; Cloonowen? County Roscommon
Athlone Austin Friary		Augustinian Friars[notes 1] founded on the Roscommon side of Athlone	Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon
Athlone Convent		Poor Clares nuns founded between c.1725 and c.1750	Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon
Athnecarne Friary ^≈		Dominican Friars — confusion of Ardnacrany Carmelites, supra	Ardnacrany
Ballyboggan Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular dissolved; granted to Sir William Bermingham 1541	The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Ballyboggan ____________________ De Laude Dei	[5] 53°24′35″N 7°02′38″W / 53.409827°N 7.043797°W
Ballymore Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1250?; possibly connected to Tristernagh, and possible chaplains to Cistercian nuns (see immediately below); dissolved 1540, church ruinous; leased to Francis Shaen 1593	Baile-mor-locha-semhdidhe; Loch-seudi; Loch-sydy; Lox; Plare; Plary Abbey	53°29′22″N 7°40′07″W / 53.489449°N 7.668718°W
Ballymore Priory		Cistercian nuns founded 1218 by a de Lacy; suggested, probably erroneously, by the presence of the Canons' priory in the vicinity (see immediately above) to have been a Gilbertine double monastery; dissolved 1470; Augustinian Canons — from Ballymore (see immediately above); passed to the canons 1475, who possibly transferred here	St Mary ____________________ Loughsewdy; Loch-seudi; Loch-sydy; Lox; Plare
Ballymore Abbey		early monastic site, purportedly founded c.700[notes 2]	Baile-mor-locha-semhdidhe; Loch-seudi; Loch-sydy; Lox; Plare
Ballymore Cistercian Priory ^≈		erroneous record of Cistercian monks — actually the canons' priory, supra	Baile-mor-locha-semhdidhe; Loch-seudi; Loch-sydy; Lox; Plare
Bethlehem Convent		Poor Clares nuns founded between c.1725 and c.1750	Bethlem
Butvather Friary ^≈		Franciscan Friars, First Order probably Athlone Conventual Franciscan Friary	Bukrather-Brawny; Butvather, in Brawny
Castletown Abbey ^ø		"Abbey",[notes 3] non-monastic ruins	Baile-chaislean	53°26′41″N 7°29′10″W / 53.444750°N 7.486160°W
Church Island Monastery, Lough Owel		early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Lomman	Inis-mor	53°34′06″N 7°22′18″W / 53.568302°N 7.371634°W
Clonfad Monastery		early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century by St Colmcille; in existence 779	Cluain-fodae; Cluain-fota-baitan; Cluain-fota-baedan-aba; Cluain-fota-bile; Ecra Tulach	53°27′21″N 7°10′40″W / 53.455751°N 7.177828°W
Clonfad Monastery		early monastic site, presumably founded 6th century by St Finnian of Clonard; church burned 887	Cluain-fodae; Cluain-fota-libren; Cluain-fota-fine	53°24′49″N 7°23′29″W / 53.413695°N 7.391319°W
Cluain-moescnae Monastery ^~		early monastic site	Cluain-maosena; Cluain-mhaoscna; Cluain-mecsua
Collinstown Priory		Augustinian nuns — Arroasian dependent on Clonard founded after 1144, church confirmed to the nuns of Clonard; dissolved after 1195; transferred with Clonard to Odder c.1383-4	St Mary ____________________ Kellarthalgach; Fore St Mary; Fawor	53°38′58″N 7°13′02″W / 53.649413°N 7.217204°W
Conry Monastery		early monastic site, founded 7th century?	Combraire	53°29′13″N 7°31′39″W / 53.486818°N 7.527585°W
Druim-corcortri Monastery ^~		early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick for Diarmait — possibly located in County Westmeath	Druim-corcthri; Druim-corkaree; Druim-corcortri, in Meath
Drumraney Monastery		early monastic site, hermitage founded before 588; in existence 995	Druim-raite; Drumrath	53°28′42″N 7°44′43″W / 53.478286°N 7.745379°W (approx)
Dysart Tola		early monastic site, founded before 738 by St Tola; burned by Domhnall mac Murchadh 790	Disert-tuala; Disert-tola	53°35′36″N 7°08′46″W / 53.593299°N 7.146111°W (approx)
Faughalstown Monastery		early monastic site, patronised by St Diarmaid 6th century	Caille-fohlada; Fochlaidh; Faughly	53°38′40″N 7°19′55″W / 53.644377°N 7.331930°W
Fooran Priory		Franciscan? nuns, possibly Second Order, Poor Clare nuns founded before 1385?; dissolved before 1603 (during the reign of Queen Elizabeth?; ruinous by 1605	Farren; Farren Macheigkese	53°25′37″N 7°46′25″W / 53.426832°N 7.773733°W (?)
Fooran Friary		Franciscan Friars, probably Third Order Regular ruinous by 1605	Fuaran; Farrenemannagh
Fore Anchorite's Cell		Anchorites dissolved 1616 on the death of the last hermit		53°40′53″N 7°13′47″W / 53.681328°N 7.229739°W
Fore Priory		early monastic site, founded c. 630 by St Feichin; probably dissolved c.1180, when succeeded by the Benedictine establishment, (see immediately below); recorded 13th century coarbs possibly titular; suggested Augustinian Canons Regular c.12th century — evidence lacking	Fobhar; Fobar-fechin; Ballyleabhair; Foure
Fore Priory		Benedictine monks alien priory: dependent on Evreux; founded before 1185, churches and other endowments granted to Evereux by Hugh de Lacy; buildings incorporated into the town's fortifications 1428; became denizen: independent from 1449; dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior William Nugent, 27 November 1539; granted to Matthew King 1540; (NM)	SS Taurin and Fechin	[6] 53°41′02″N 7°13′38″W / 53.683861°N 7.227162°W
Fore Hospitallers		Knights Hospitaller frankhouse recorded 1541
Foyran Monastery		early monastic site, patronised and probably founded by St Edan		53°44′51″N 7°17′46″W / 53.747479°N 7.296186°W
Friarstown Friary		Dominican Friars founded c.1691; dissolved 1733	Killenough;[notes 4] Killendough; Killenough; — in Clonfad parish
Hare Island Priory		early monastic site, founed before 542 by St Ciaran of Clonmacnois; Augustinian Canons Regular founded after 1140?; cell dependent on Saints' Island? from before 1259?; dissolved before 1500?, probably abandoned some time before the general suppression	Inis Ainghin; Inish Inneen; Oilean Aingin; Saints Island, Lough Ree	53°28′16″N 7°55′49″W / 53.471168°N 7.930324°W
Inchbofin Monastery		early monastic site, founded mid-5th century by St Rioch; burned and plundered by the Norsemen on several occasions; church plundered by the Munstermen 1089; suggested Augustinian Canons Regular during the reign of Henry VIII — documentary evidence lacking	Inis-bofin; Inis-boffin, Lough Ree	[7][8] 53°32′30″N 7°55′02″W / 53.541660°N 7.917232°W
Inchmore Priory		early monastic site, founded 5th century? by Liberius (Lioban), son of Losenus; Augustinian Canons Regular founded before c.1170?; cell? dependent on Saints' Island after 1200; dissolved before 1500?, possibly abandoned some time before the general suppression; granted to Sir Richard Barnwell	Inismor-Loch-Ribh; Inismor-Lough Ree	[9] 53°30′41″N 7°56′22″W / 53.511470°N 7.939529°W
Kilbeggan Monastery		early monastic site, founded 6th/7th century by St Beccan (Becan, son of Murchade?); Cistercian monks — from Mellifont founded 1150, possibly by the MacCoughlan family; subject to Buildwas 1228; dissolved before 1549; part granted to Robert Dillon 1560; granted to William Browne 1595	Cell-becain; Kilbecain; de Benedicto Dei; 'The Church of the Relic', Kilbeggan	53°21′38″N 7°29′52″W / 53.360449°N 7.497742°W (approx)
Kilbixy Monastery		early monastic site, monks[notes 5] and nuns founded by St Bicsech the Virgin?	Cell-bicsige	53°36′10″N 7°30′56″W / 53.602788°N 7.515504°W
Kilcumreragh Monastery		early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Fiachra; sometimes confused with Conry, supra	Cell-cruimthir	53°24′39″N 7°41′33″W / 53.410752°N 7.692508°W
Kilkenny West Priory Hospital		early monastic site, founded c.mid-6th century by St Canice Crutched Friars founded after 1200 by the Tyrrell family or by Fr Thomas Dillon, priest, buried here; listed 15th century as Hospitallers dissolved before 1541?; granted to Robert Dillon 1569	St John ____________________ Cell-cainnig; Kil-caynne; Kil-kencayd; Kil-kay; Kil-kykenne	53°29′22″N 7°48′55″W / 53.489523°N 7.815275°W
Killalea Monastery ^~		early monastic site, sometimes mistaken for Killulagh, supra
Killare Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Aedh mac Bricc; site now occupied by remains of old parish church	Cell-air; Kill-aria	53°28′59″N 7°34′46″W / 53.483120°N 7.579424°W
Killinure Friary ^~		Observant Franciscan Friars — from Athlone place of refuge
Killucan Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Luican (Lucain)	Cell-lucain; Killuken	53°30′49″N 7°08′39″W / 53.513679°N 7.144124°W
Killulagh Monastery		early monastic site, patronised 5th century (during the time of St Patrick) by St Lonan; also given as County Offaly, and mistaken for Killalea	Cell-oilach; Cell-uaillech; Kilhuailleach, County Offaly	53°35′23″N 7°09′03″W / 53.589603°N 7.150898°W
Kiltoom Monastery		early monastic site, founded 5th century	Cell-toma; Kill-toma	53°40′08″N 7°21′27″W / 53.668985°N 7.357531°W (approx)
Kinard Nunnery		monks, according to local tradition — order and foundation unknown; land granted to Augustinian Canons Regular of Tristernagh 1293; Franciscan Sisters, Third Order founded before 1650	Ceannard; Chinn-Aird; Kenard; Kinnard; Mainister Chinn Aird	[10] 53°43′11″N 7°27′21″W / 53.719708°N 7.455967°W
Lackan Monastery		early monastic site, founded 5th century? possibly by St Patrick?; possibly in existence 946; remains extant 1837	Leachan; Lecan-midi; Leckin	53°38′15″N 7°25′35″W / 53.637550°N 7.426419°W
Lough Ennell Monastery		details to be established
Lynn Monastery		early monastic site; some confusion with Linnleire (Lann-Leire), i.e. Dunleer, supra; site currently occupied by Lynn House	Lann-mic-luachain	53°29′45″N 7°21′51″W / 53.4957148°N 7.3641497°W
Mullingar Austin Friars		Augustinian Friars; site marked by modern statue[11]		53°31′34″N 7°20′13″W / 53.526062°N 7.337077°W
Mullingar Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1227 by Ralph Petit, Bishop of Meath; destroyed by the people of Managh 1464; leased out by Prior John Petyt 1534-8; dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior John Petyt 28 November 1539; possibly Augustinian Friars founded before 1643?	Muilenn-cerr; Muileann-chear; Molingar; Molyngerre	[12] 53°31′29″N 7°20′22″W / 53.524830°N 7.339430°W
Mullingar Friary		Dominican Friars founded 1237 or Mary 1238 by the Nugent family or the Pettit family; granted to Sir Gerald FitzGerald of Crowboy for 21 years, 24 April 1540; declared dissolved 10 October 1540 by the withdrawal of the prior and convent; granted to Thomas Gorie 1564; granted to Walter Hope 1565-6; granted to James Hope 1610	St Mary of the Assumption; The Holy Trinity; St Saviour	[13][14] 53°31′26″N 7°20′35″W / 53.523934°N 7.343154°W
Mullingar Blackfriars		Dominican Friars founded soon after 1622
Mullingar Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars — from Multyfarnham attempted foundation 1622
Mullingar Greyfriars		Capuchin Franciscan Friars founded c.1642?
Mullingar Hospitallers		Knights Hospitaller "... a house [of Hospitallers?]";[notes 6] ^([notes 7]^) probably a frankhouse	Molyngare
Multyfarnham Friary		Franciscan Friars, Conventual founded 1236 (before 1268?) (during the reign of Henry III) by William Delmar; also given as 1270 or 1276 by L William Herebeard FitzHerbert (Delamare) and 1306[notes 8] Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1460; dissolved 1540, abandoned by the friars 7 October 1540; granted to Edmund Field, Patrick Clynch and Philip Penteney sometime between 1540 and 1546 (renewed 1546) friars permitted to remain in occupation; recommended for restoration 1540 (during the reign of Queen Mary); in use as a place of refuge; burned twice and raided several times between 1590 and 1617; reoccupied 1827	Mbuailtibh Farannain; Molinfarnam; Montisfernandi; Multifernam	[15] 53°37′43″N 7°23′28″W / 53.628730°N 7.391010°W
Multyfarnham Blackfriars, earlier site?		Dominican Friars suggested to have been here prior to moving to Mullingar — evidence lacking
Pass of Kilbride Abbey		"Abbey ruins"[notes 9]	Bealach-Chilli-Brighde	53°26′45″N 7°13′37″W / 53.4459°N 7.226826°W
Rahugh Monastery		early monastic site founded before 589 by St Aedh mac Bricc, bishop; in existence 859	Rath-aeda-mic-bric; Raith-aida; Rathugh	53°20′11″N 7°26′16″W / 53.336382°N 7.437719°W
Rathaspick Monastery ^~		early monastic site, purportedly founded before 589 by Aedh mac Bricc — evidence lacking; in existence 898
Russagh Monastery ^ø≈		possible early monastic site — probably Russagh, County Laois	Ros-ach; Ros each
Taughmon Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 635-6 by St Fintan Munna	Tech-munna; Taghmon	53°35′59″N 7°14′58″W / 53.599779°N 7.249381°W
Teaghbaithen Monastery ^ø≈~		early monastic site — possibly Tibhoin, County Roscommon	Taghboyne
Teernacreeve Monastery		early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century by St Colmcille for St Lugaid, his disciple	St Lugaid? ____________________ Tir-da-chroeb; Tir-da-craeb
Temple Macateer		early monastic site, possibly founded by St Ciaran mac an tsaoir	Tempall-maic-in-tsaeir	[16] 53°24′21″N 7°36′12″W / 53.405896°N 7.603196°W
Templenesagart Friary ^≈		friars, apparently Franciscan Friars, probably Third Order Regular	Templenesgarth; possibly Kinard
Tobercormick Priory?		Augustinian Canons Regular[notes 10] possible canons' house probably extinct long before 1488 Dominican 200	Tobar-Cormac; Fons Cormaci; Well of Cormac by Toberville	53°30′39″N 7°35′35″W / 53.510739°N 7.593157°W (approx)
Tobercormick Friary ^#		Dominican Friars founded c.1488, license granted by Innocent III, at the petition of Edmund de Lantu, to build a friary 1488; dissolved before 1589, when in ownership of Francis Shane, gent.; granted to H. Matthews, termor; assigned to Sir Francis Shane; no monastic remains apparent
Tristernagh Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1200 by Geoffrey de Constentin (Galfred de Constantine); dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior commendator Edmund Nugent, Bishop of Kilmore; granted to Robert Delman 10 December 1539 later in religious use; destroyed 1783	St Mary ____________________ Dristernach; Dryssternac; apud Kilbixy	53°35′56″N 7°28′46″W / 53.598880°N 7.479411°W
Tuaim-inbhir Monastery ^~≈		early monastic site, founded before 916, possibly located in County Westmeath or County Tipperary	Druim-inbir (Dromineer, County Tipperary)
Turbotstown Monastery ^~		early monastic site, founded before 809, possibly by St Fechin	Tibraid; Tibrada; Tippert?
Tyfarnham Monastery ^~		early monastic site, founded before 880	Tech-erennain; Tech-airindan; Tech-farannain; Tech-ernain; Tech-ultan; Teach Faramain	53°34′54″N 7°20′27″W / 53.581598°N 7.340856°W (approx)
Usnagh Monastery ^~		early monastic site, a cloister founded 5th century by St Patrick; demolished when he was driven away	Uisnach

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. Lubin: Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticon Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, pp.310,312,331
2. A. Cogan, The Diocese of Meath, 1862-70, ii, p.552
3. Ordnance Survey
4. Rev. Dr. W. Moran, Riocht na Midhe, ii, No.3 (1961), pp.9-15
5. Healy, History of the Diocese of Meath, 1, 48
6. Extents of Irish Monastic Possessions 1540-1, edited Newport D. White (Irish Manuscripts Commission), 1943, p.115
7. "3D Issue Digital Edition – powered by www.3dissue.com. Copyright 2008, All rights reserved.". irishmanuscripts.ie.
8. A. Cogan, The Diocese of Meath, 1862-70, iii, p.591
9. Ordnance Survey and Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901
10. Harris's Table, Ware-Harris, Antiquities, p.264

References

1. "Athlone- details of , 1430 - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources". tth2.co.uk.
2. Super User. "Athlone". franciscans.ie.
3. "Site details: Athlone - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources". tth2.co.uk.
4. Super User. "Athlone". franciscans.ie.
5. "Ballyboggan Priory". bravehost.com.
6. "Fore Abbey and Church". megalithicireland.com.
7. Michael Heraghty. "Inishbofin Early Christian Monastery - Westmeath -". Choose Ireland.
8. "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". osi.ie.
9. "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". osi.ie.
10. "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". osi.ie.
12. "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". osi.ie.
13. "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". osi.ie.
14. "Site details: Mullingar Friary - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources". tth2.co.uk.
15. Super User. "Multyfarnham". franciscans.ie.
16. "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". osi.ie.

See also

• List of monastic houses in Ireland