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?		 St Mary
____________________
Domus Dei de Mollingare;
|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 ot 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


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Click on a county to go to the corresponding article

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.
  11. ↑
  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