List of monastic houses in County Sligo

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
Achonry Monastery early monastic site, founded 7th century by St Finnian of Clonard;
diocesan cathedral 1152		 Achadh-conaire;
Achadh-caoin;
Achada;
Cluain-Cain-i-n-Achud 		[1]

54°04′41″N 8°39′16″W / 54.078085°N 8.654546°W
Achonry Abbey "Abbey (in ruins)"[notes 1] 54°04′45″N 8°39′19″W / 54.079079°N 8.655173°W
Aghanagh Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick for Bishop Manus (Maine) and Gentene Achanagh;
Each-aineach;
Each-enach 		54°02′07″N 8°19′55″W / 54.035143°N 8.331987°W
Alternan Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille or St Farranan;
granted to St Farranan by St Colmcille		 Alt-fharannain 54°16′12″N 8°53′52″W / 54.269914°N 8.897660°W
Annaghloy Abbey "Abbey",[notes 2] unknown foundation, order or period; Lough Arrow 54°02′40″N 8°18′24″W / 54.044564°N 8.306777°W
Athmoy Cell Premonstratensian Canons
dependent on Loughkey;
cell, probably non-conventual, founded 1232 by Clarus MacMailin, archdeacon of Elphin;
dissolved before 1594; granted to Robert Harrison 1594 		Holy Trinity
____________________
Ath Mugi;
Killamoy;
Foyoges 		54°04′08″N 8°15′21″W / 54.068810°N 8.255730°W
Aughris Priory early monastic site, founded by St Molaise of Inishmurray;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1172? by the Macdonalds, Irish noblemen;
dissolved c.1584		 St Mary
____________________
Eachros;
Acharas;
Agharois;
Akeras;
Keras;
Kilmaltin;
Inishmurray;
Insula Mary 		54°16′23″N 8°46′03″W / 54.273050°N 8.767546°W
Ballindoon Priory Dominican Friars
possibly licensed from Athenry 1427
founded 1507 purportedly by a Mac Donogh, begun by Thomas O'Farrell;
founded 1507;
dissolved c.1585; granted to Sir Francis Crofton (Grofton) after 1591, assigned to Sir Robert King		 St Mary
____________________
Ballindoon Abbey;
Baile-an-duin;
Ballin-dune 		54°04′58″N 8°19′24″W / 54.082746°N 8.323411°W
Ballinley Abbey ≈? suggested Cistercian monks prior to settling at Boyle — dubious;
"ruins of an abbey"		 Ballinlig;
Bunnina/Bunfinny (dubious)
Ballymote Friary Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
founded before 1442 by Cugawrag M'Donough;
burned, plundered and exiled by Donarus Macdonkayd 1483;
dissolved before 1584; granted to Sir Henry Broncard, assigned to Sir William Taafe;
destroyed by rebels c.1584-6;
Dominican Friars[notes 3]		 Baile-an-mhota;
Baile-in-mota;
Ath-cliath-in-chorain;
Balemouta 		54°05′23″N 8°31′06″W / 54.089684°N 8.518383°W
Ballymote Preceptory ~ suggested Knights Hospitaller — possibly Temple House, infra Temple House?
Ballynagalliagh Priory nuns at Keelty possibly transferred here;
Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
dependent on Kilcreevanty;
founded after 1223?;
dissolved before 1562?; granted to the Earl of Clanricarde 1562		 54°20′53″N 8°30′17″W / 54.347983°N 8.504617°W
Ballysadare Abbey early monastic site, founded 7th century by St Fechin of Fore;
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian?
founded before 1166?;
dissolved 1588?; leased to Bryan FitzWilliam 1588;
Augustinian Friars		 St Mary (and St Fechin)
___________________
Baile-essa-dara;
Assadare;
Astrura;
Esdara;
Templemore 		54°12′54″N 8°31′04″W / 54.214905°N 8.517665°W
Banada Priory Augustinian Friars
founded 1423 by Donough O'Hara (Donatus Heagiaa) (son of John (Joannis Pheadgra)) who granted site;
Observant Augustinian Friars
reform adopted by decree of the prior general 29 December 1423
dissolved c.1613;
founded 1423;
dissolved c.1613;
Irish Sisters of Charity
founded 1858		 Corpus Christi
____________________
Beannada;
Bennatta;
Benfada 		54°02′15″N 8°49′02″W / 54.037479°N 8.817197°W
Billa Monastery early monastic site, founded 7th century by St Fechin of Fore Bile-Fechin;
Bile-fobhair 		54°10′32″N 8°33′19″W / 54.175685°N 8.555238°W
Buniffi Abbey ~ Cistercian monks
founded c.1158/9, transferred from Drumconaid;
probably Bunfhinne, Dromard Parish, County Sligo;
dissolved 1161, transferred to Boyle		 Bunfinny;
Bunnina;
Bunfhinne
Caille-au-inde Monastery ~≈? early monastic site, founded by St Fintan, son of Aid;
possibly located in County Sligo, also suggested to be Cally, Perthshire		 Caille-aibhinne;
Caille-eavinde
Carricknahorna Monastery early monastic site, nuns, founded 5th century by St Patrick for Macet, Cergen, Rodanus and Matona Tech-na-gCailleach-dubha;
Senchell-damaigi;
Senella-cella-dumiche? nr Corradoo 		54°01′32″N 8°21′42″W / 54.025424°N 8.361593°W
Church Island Monastery, Lough Gill early monastic site, founded 6th century (in the time of St Colmcille) by St Loman, son of Dallan;
burned 1416		 Inis-mor 54°15′13″N 8°23′12″W / 54.253603°N 8.386743°W
Cloghermore Nunnery ~ nuns — order, foundation and period unknown
Cloonameehan Friary Dominican Friars
founded 1488 by Eugene Mac Donogh, license granted by Pope Innocent VIII 1488, on petition of Mac Donogh, the Baron of Norach and Edmund de Lantu;
dissolved c.1584; granted to Richard Kyndelinshe (Kindlemersh);
passed to the Taaffes, then to the Earl of Shelburne		 Clonymeaghan;
Cloonmahen;
Cloonoghil 		54°03′37″N 8°35′26″W / 54.060317°N 8.590678°W
Cloonoghill Abbey early monastic site, founded 6th century by Aedan O Fiachrach in Corran Cluain-eochaill nr Ballyangloch 54°04′19″N 8°33′16″W / 54.071947°N 8.554556°W
Court Friary Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
founded after 1449 by Father Andrew O'Clumhain (Coleman), land granted by John O'Hara, with the approval of Cornelius O'Moghan, Bishop of Achonry;
dissolved 1588; granted to Richard Kyndelinshe 1588;
granted to William Taaffe 1598;
granted to Francis Edgworth 1623/4		 Abbey Court;
Cooit;
Cuit-ruardri;
Cuirtwilleag 		54°06′43″N 8°40′05″W / 54.112077°N 8.668005°W
Dromard Monastery early monastic site, nuns, traditionally founded 5th century by St Patrick Druim-ard;
Druim-n-ard 		54°13′56″N 8°38′21″W / 54.232105°N 8.639081°W
Druimlias Monastery ≈~ early monastic site Drumlease, County Leitrim?
Druimeidirdhaloch Monastery ≈~ early monastic site, founded by St Finnian of Clonard Kildalough?
Druimnea Monastery ~ early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick;
possibly located in County Sligo
Drumcliff Monastery early monastic site, founded 575 by St Colmcille, site granted by Ard son of Ainmire;
plundered 1315;
probably dissolved c.1503;
N15 road now bisects the site		 Druim-cliabh 54°19′33″N 8°29′40″W / 54.325886°N 8.494354°W
Drumcolumb Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille for his disciple Finbarr Druim-coluim;
Druim-namac 		54°07′45″N 8°20′52″W / 54.129189°N 8.347640°W
Drumrat Monastery early monastic site, founded 7th century by St Fechin of Fore Druim-raite 54°01′42″N 8°28′42″W / 54.028197°N 8.478438°W (approx)
Easky Abbey ø "Abbey (in ruins)"[notes 4] [2]

54°17′10″N 8°57′36″W / 54.286011°N 8.960134°W
Emlaghfad Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille for Enna, son of Nuadhain Imblech-foda;
Emlyfad;
Tulach-segsa;
Tulach-segra 		54°06′29″N 8°29′19″W / 54.108131°N 8.488549°W
Enachard Monastery early monastic site, nuns;
purportedly transferred to Clogher		 Annaghard;
Clogher? 		54°16′29″N 8°23′34″W / 54.274758°N 8.392712°W (?)
Faebhran Monastery ~≈ suggested early monastic site Foibren;
probably Foyron, County Westmeath
Inishmore Monastery, Lough Arrow "monastery"[notes 5] — order, foundation and period unknown Killadoon 54°04′02″N 8°19′32″W / 54.06716°N 8.325435°W
Inishmurray Monastery early monastic site, probably founded 5th century (in the time of St Patrick) by St Laisren (Molaise);
burned by the Norsemen 807;
transferred to the mainland and united with Aughris;
probably used as a hermitage into the medieval period		 Inis-muridaig 54°25′53″N 8°39′25″W / 54.431482°N 8.65683°W
Keelty Monastery early monastic site, nuns, founded by St Muadnata? Caile-nadfrath 54°20′58″N 8°28′20″W / 54.349553°N 8.472347°W (approx?)
Kilcumin Monastery early monastic site, possibly founded by St Caeman or St Comegen Kilcomin 54°07′47″N 8°46′17″W / 54.129593°N 8.771318°W (approx)
Kilcumin Friary Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
dependent on Court;
founded after 1454;
dissolved 1588? 		54°07′47″N 8°46′17″W / 54.1296°N 8.7713°W (approx)
Killadoon Priory~ Premonstratensian Canons
church belonging to Loughkey		 Cell-duibh-duin
Killaraght Monastery early monastic site, nuns, founded 5th century by St Patrick;
nuns, possibly Augustinian — Arroasian — evidence lacking;
dependent on Kilcreevanty?;
founded after 1223?;
dissolved c.1591?; granted to Terence O'Byrne (Tirlaughe O'Byrnem) 1594; assigned to the Earl of Clanricarde by Terence O'Byrne		 Cell-adrochta;
Cell-Athracta;
Killarighla 		53°56′00″N 8°21′08″W / 53.933336°N 8.352345°W (?)
Killaspugbrone Monastery early monastic site Caisel-Irrae;
Cashel;
Cell-espuig-broin;
Cell-epscoip-broin 		54°16′58″N 8°36′08″W / 54.282812°N 8.602334°W
Killerry Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century? (in the time of St Patrick?);
erenagh recorded up to 1416		 Cell-oiridh 54°13′28″N 8°20′36″W / 54.224462°N 8.343226°W (?)
Kilmacowen Monastery early monastic site, probably founded before mid 6th century by Diermit, son of Eugenius mac Murchad;
granted to Loughkey Abbey c.1239		 Rosredheadh 54°13′56″N 8°31′10″W / 54.232314°N 8.519522°W
Kilnemanagh Monastery early monastic site, founded 7th century by St Fechin of Fore;
Augustinian Canons Regular
dependent on Ballysadare;
cell? founded before 1170?;
dissolved before 1400; granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricarde before 1603 (during the reign of Queen Elizabeth)		 Cell-na-manach 54°10′33″N 8°33′19″W / 54.175736°N 8.555324°W
Kilross Monastery early monastic site
Premonstratensian Canons
daughter of Loughkey;
founded 1233-5 by Clarus MacMailin;
evidently non-conventual;
dissolved before 1594 ; granted to Robert Harrison 1594;
ruins in existence 1890		 Holy Trinity
____________________
Cell-fhraes;
Cell-rass;
Cell-Rais;
Kil-ruisse 		54°12′03″N 8°27′12″W / 54.200931°N 8.453350°W
Knockmore Monastery Carmelite Friars
founded c.1320;
also given as Dominican Friars — probable erroneous interpretation of the reference to the Carmelites here as "black friars";
dissolved before 1594		 Grand Mont 54°00′41″N 8°34′01″W / 54.011377°N 8.566917°W
Monasteraden Monastery early monastic site, founded by St Aedhan (probably Aedhan O Fiachrach) 53°56′28″N 8°30′08″W / 53.941124°N 8.502222°W
Monaster-Cheathramh-nTeampuill Monastery early monastic site 53°58′02″N 8°34′21″W / 53.967274°N 8.572430°W
Scurmor Friary Augustinian Friars
founded before 1454, site granted by Thady Odubha (O'Dowda) on petition of friars Eugene Ocaemayn (O'Knavin) and Thady Macfirbissyg (MacFirbis);
dissolved before 1603? (during the reign of Queen Elizabeth?);
masonry purportedly used to construct a house for the landlord, later converted for use as a hotel		 Holy Trinity
____________________
Inis-tormor;
Inis-morensis;
Instuamor 		54°11′48″N 9°06′50″W / 54.196563°N 9.113857°W
Shancough Monastery early monastic site, possibly founded 5th century by St Patrick Seanchua-ua-n-oiliolla;
Senchua
Skreen Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille who was granted site to found a monastery by Tibrad, prince of Tir Fiachrach;
site occupied by remains of medieval church		 Scrin-adamnain;
Scrinium S. Adamnani;
Scrine 		54°14′27″N 8°43′49″W / 54.240708°N 8.730173°W
Sligo Friary Dominican Friars
founded 1252 by Maurice fitz Gerald; consecrated 1253;
burned down accidentally 1414;
rebuilt 1416 by br Brian, son of Dermot Mac Donogh;
dissolved 1595, judged to be property of the Crown, friars probably dispersed at this time; granted to William Taaffe by James I;
in use as a court house 1608;
friars probably restored by 1624;
destroyed, friars seeking refuge in caves and woods in the vicinity during 1630s;
friars restored by 1641;
Premonstratensian Canons;
(NM)		 Priory of the Holy Cross
____________________
'Sligo Abbey' ;
Sliccech;
Sligech;
Selgia 		[3]

54°16′15″N 8°28′12″W / 54.270802°N 8.470083°W
Sligo Priory * Dominican Friars
church dedicated 6 January 1848; priory built 1865;
rebuilt and re-dedicated 13 May 1973;
extant		 Holy Cross Priory, Sligo [4]
Staad Abbey early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Molaise of Inishmurray;
possible cell of Innishmurray		 Teampall-na-staide;
Steedagh 		[5]

54°23′27″N 8°34′18″W / 54.3908697°N 8.571655°W
Tawnagh Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick and Bishop Cairell Tamnach 54°06′27″N 8°24′08″W / 54.107633°N 8.402235°W
Temple House Knights Templar
founded after 1269 (during the reign of Henry III);
dissolved 1270?, retaining a church and property in the area after the destruction of the castle;
Knights Hospitaller 342;
probably passed to the Crutched Friars of Rindown after 1312		 Tech-Temple;
Taght-tampul;
Domuis Templi;
Templehouse;
Loghnehely 		54°07′02″N 8°34′29″W / 54.1171°N 8.5747°W
Toomour Monastery early monastic site Tuaim-fobhair;
Cell-Easpaig-Luidhigh;
Cell-epscoip-buidhidh

Glossary


Map link to lists of monastic houses in Ireland by county

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Click on a county to go to the corresponding article

Notes

  1. ↑ Ordnance Survey
  2. ↑ Memorial Atlas of Ireland
  3. ↑ Pat. R. James I, pt.2, p.52
  4. ↑ Ordnance Survey
  5. ↑ Ordnance Survey

References

  1. ↑ "Saint Crumnathy Cathedral, Achonry". anglican.org.
  2. ↑ "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". osi.ie.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ Excavations.ie. Searchable database of Irish excavation reports

See also