MONASTERIES & ABBEYS

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Kildermott Abbey

Kildermott Abbey

Attymass
The ruins of Kildermott Abbey overlook Ballymore Lough. As well as being an important national monument the abbey has several fascinating Folklore tales associated with it.

Cong Abbey

Cong Abbey

Cong
Cong Abbey is a historic site located at Cong, on the borders of counties Galway and Mayo, in Ireland's province of Connacht.

Aghagower

Aghagower

Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail
Aughagower or Aghagower (Irish: Achadh Ghobhair, meaning "Field of the Springs") is a tiny village in rural County Mayo in western Ireland. It is located about 5 km from Westport. Modern Aughagower has only a few houses and pubs in a pastoral setting. It also forms the centre of a parish of the same name. The village is primarily known today for its ancient and cultural history.

Moyne Abbey

Moyne Abbey

Killala
Just outside Killala lies the ruins of Moyne Abbey, a Franciscan Friary, which is now a National Monument.

Rathfran Abbey

Rathfran Abbey

Killala
Historical buildings are dotted along Killala bay, including the Dominican Priory 'Rathfran Abbey' dated 1274 AD, Moyne Abbey, Meelick Castle, and Humbert's Rock.

Rosserk Friary

Rosserk Friary

Killala
Located on the River Moy, in North Mayo, close to Moyne Abbey and between the towns of Killala and Ballina, Rosserk Friary is possibly the best preserved monastic site in Ireland. It was founded by the Joyce family in the middle of the 15th century for the benefit of the Franciscan Third Order Friars, an order which incorporated laymen into the order as well as female clerics, though Rosserk’s religious community was male only.

Murrisk Abbey

Murrisk Abbey

Murrisk
Founded in the 1400’s by Pope Callistus for the Augustinians, the abbey is perched on the gently lapping shore and its ruins and maintained graveyard make for a contemplative and interesting hour or two.

Burrishoole

Burrishoole

Newport
Mayo’s historical currents meet in intriguing ways in the coastal parish of Burrishoole in Southwest Mayo.Somewhat eclipsed by the latter day and artificially created town of Newport (formerly Newport-Pratt) the suppressed habitation of Burrishoole lives on in the hearts and cultural memories of many in this corner of Mayo.

Ballintubber Abbey

Ballintubber Abbey

South Mayo
Ballintubber Abbey has the unique distinction of being in almost continuous use for 800 years, having been founded in 1216. Beside the beautiful stone-built church its ruins and cloisters are good examples of Romanesque architecture. Ballintubber Abbey is the starting point of the ancient pilgrim’s route, known as ‘Tóchar Phádraig’ which passes through Aghagower en route to Croagh Patrick.