List of monastic houses in County Mayo

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
Aghagower Abbey		early monastic site, Patrician monks founded in the 5th century by St Patrick; Augustinian Canons Regular	Aughagower; Achad-fobuir; Achad-fabhair
Aghamore Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Patrick for Loam	Achad-mor; Aghavower
Airne Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded in the 5th century, in the time of St Patrick	Ciaraige Airne	poss church site Lough Mannin, parish of Aghamore
Annagh 'Abbey', Kilmaine		Augustinian nuns — Arroasian — from Cong cell, dependent on Kilcreevanty; founded before 1440; dissolved before 1543? - Augustinian Friars? Franciscan Friars? possibly occupied site after suppression of the nunnery	Annies; Any; Enach
Annagh, Costello ≈		Augustinian Canons Regular supposed cell dependent on Cong; possible confusion with Annagh, Kilmaine
Ardnaree Friary, Ballina		Augustinian Friars founded before 1400 by the O'Dowda family; partial collapse and rebuilding, possibly refounded by Tagd O'Dowda; dissolution unknown, friars thought to have retained until 1577–82, remaining in the vicinity up to the late 18th century	Ardnary; Arnacensis
Balla Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 637 by St Mochua (Cronan); burned 780; coarbs into the 13th century	Balna
Ballentully Monastery ~		unknown order and foundation; given as Franciscan Friars — evidence lacking	Ballintully possibly Turlough (q.v.) possibly Ballintober (q.v.)
Ballina Monastery ≈		unknown order and foundation — (Augustinian Canons Regular if Ardnaree)	probably Ardnaree (q.v.)
Ballinasmale Friary		Carmelite Friars founded 1288-9 by the Prendergast family; dissolved 1605?; granted to Sir John King c. 1605–06; passed to Francis Barkly 1585; convent restored by c. 1737; dissolved 1870	St Mary ____________________ Ballinasmall; Ballinsmaula; Baile-an-smallie; Vallis Mallis?
Ballinrobe Priory		Augustinian Friars founded c. 1312? probably by a de Burgo, possibly Elizabeth de Clare (also suggestedly Maurice Fitzgerald) dissolved c. 1584?; Augustinian Friars restored after 1641 rebellion	Baile-an-rodhba; Robe
Ballinrobe St John the Baptist		Knights Hospitaller member of the Priory of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem
Ballintubber Abbey +		early monastic site, founded in the 5th century, in the time of St Patrick - Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1216 by Cathal (Crobderg) O'Conor, King of Connacht; burned 1265; surrendered (nominally) to Henry VIII by Abbot Walter Mac Evilly de Stanton 1542; dissolved c. 1585; part granted to Sir John King 1605; Augustinian Friars apparently refounded c. 1635-1653; restored 1966; (NM)	The Holy Trinity ____________________ Ballintober; Baile-an-tobair; Tobar-patraic; Ville Fontis Patricii; de Fonte Patricii
Ballyhaunis Friary *=		Augustinian Friars founded c. 1430 supposedly by the Angulos (the Nangle-Mac Costello family), traditionally by a descendant of Jordan Dubh Mac Costello; granted to the Earl of Clanricarde 1570; friars permitted to remain; dissolved c. 1586?, land surrendered by the Mac Costello to Theobald Dillon; dissolved c. 1608?; Augustinian Friars restored after the Irish Rebellion 1641; burned 1650; restored 1938; extant	The Blessed Virgin Mary; The Immaculate Conception ____________________ 'The Abbey' ; Bellafamensis; Hanrahannassa
Ballyhean Monastery		early monastic site, supposedly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick	Bel-athat-hein; Ballyheane
Burriscarra Abbey		early monastic site Carmelite Friars founded 1298, probably by Adam, son of Philip de Staunton; dissolved c. 1377, abandoned for over 30 years; Augustinian Friars founded 1413, granted at the instance of the descendants of the founder, consent by the Maurice, Archbishop of Tuam, with papal approval 1413;	Buirghes-ceinn-trachta; Borriscara; Burgakere; Burgoflore
Burriscarra Friary ≈		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular	Buires Ceara; Cera; Leighcarrow-clondore (Clondaver)
Burrishoole Friary		Dominican Friars founded c. 1469 by Richard de Burgo of Turlough, Lord Mac William Oughter, who died here, papal consent 1486; dissolved 1580; granted to Nicholas Weston and assigned to Theobald Viscount Costillogalen; restored; dissolved c. 1606; granted to John King of Dublin 1606	St Mary ____________________ 'Burrishoole Abbey' ; Barasoule; Borisol; Buresula
Carheen Friary		suggested Dominican Friars before moving to Urlaur
Carn Abbey		unknown order, foundation and period, "Abbey in ruins"
Cell Tog Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 5th century by Cainnech, bishop and monk of St Patrick	Cellola Tog	(approx)
Church Island Monastery, Lough Carra		early monastic site, founded by St Finan	Rathen
Clare Island Abbey		Cistercian monks founded by 1224; convent driven off by pirates became cell of Abbeyknockmoy after 1224 dissolved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth?; probably place of refuge for Carmelite Friars with other orders in the late 16th and 17th century	Saint Brigid's Abbey The Blessed Virgin Mary (from 1254) ____________________ 'the Abbey' ; 'Friary' (1605) Mainister-ni-clarch; Cliara; Cleara; Clara; Insula Maris; Oilen-ui-maile
Cong Abbey		early monastic site, founded 624 by Domnal, son of Aedh; diocesan cathedral 1111 (diocese not recognised by the synod of Kells) burnt 1114; Augustinian Canons Regular refounded c. 1134? by Turlough O'Conor; burnt 1137; new monastery built by Rory, Turlough's son; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian adopted probably soon after 1140; dissolved before 1568?; granted to William Collier 1571; granted to the town of Athenry 1597; possibly Augustinian Friars (if Crenquerensis (see immediately below)); (NM)	Cunga-Feichin; Conga
Crenquerensis Friary		Augustinian Friars possibly located in County Galway, probably Cong, former house of Augustinian Canons (see immediately above)	Cong?
Cross Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular 153,168 founded as a daughter house of Ballintuber, possibly in connection with the early foundation at Inishglora whose community possibly moved to the mainland in the 10th century, confirmed 1400, dissolved c. 1584	St Brendan, Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Cross ____________________ Cross in Mullet; Cross-rathig; Crossrayn
Crossmolina Priory		possible early monastic site in the 10th century; Augustinian Canons Regular founded after c. 1270; dependent on Ballybeg; non-conventual by 1438; given as conventual cell 1444 dissolved c. 1584?	The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Mainishir Taobh Thiar do Shruth; Crossmalyne Cros-Maoiliona; Cros-mail-fhina; Cresmuylyana; Crossmolina Abbey
Davaghkeiran Monastery		early monastic site, 'Abbey'	Dabach-cieran; Dabaghkieran
Domnach-mor Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick
Duvillaun Monastery		early monastic site, Anchorites
Emlagh Monastery ≈		early monastic site	Imleach-each; possibly Emlagh, County Roscommon
Errew Abbey		early monastic site Augustinian Canons Regular priory cell dependent on Crossmolina? founded c. 1413? by the Barret family dissolved c. 1585? Augustinian Friars mentioned 1463; monastery/friary 1585-6; friary 1605	St Tigernan ____________________ Aireach-lochacon; Aired-locha-con; Erew; Loch Conn; Oired; Oreab; Temple-na-galliach-dhub; Erevensis in Connacht?
Errew Friary ø		purported Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular — evidence lacking
Errew Nunnery		nuns order, status, foundation and dissolution unknown
Fochlud Monastery		early monastic site, nuns, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick;	Fochloth	(approx)
High Island Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 7th century; (NM)	Ard Oilean
Inishglora Monastery		early monastic site, nuns, founded before 577-83 by St Brendan; probably transferred in the 10th century to Cross, supra, due to raids by the Norsemen	St Brendan ____________________ Inis Gulair Brenaind
Inishkea North		early monastic site, founded in the 6th century by St Colmcille?	Inis-ce
Inishmaine Abbey		early monastic site, founded in the 7th century by St Corbmac; possibly Benedictine nuns (unless not united with Kilcreevanty until after its adoption of Augustinian rule); Augustinian nuns — Arroasian — possibly from Annaghdown; [?re-]founded after 1223 (after 1227?); dependent on Kilcreevanty dissolved c. 1587?; (NM)	Inis-medhon; Inis-meadhoin; Inis-meadhon; Inchmean
Inishrobe Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 6th century by St Colmcille?	Inis-rodba	(approx)
Inishturk Monastery #		early monastic site, supposedly founded in the 7th century by St Colman; Friars possible place of refuge	Inis-torc; Inis-tuirc
Kilfinain Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Finan, Abbot of Rathen; church in the monastery of Rathen		Carra, north of R. Robe
Kilgharvan Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 7th century by St Fechin of Fore	Cell-garbhain; Kilnegarvan
Kilkeny Friary ≈~		purported Friars, possibly Franciscan Friars, name possibly an alias for another house	Kylkeny; Kilveny
Killala Monastery +		Patrician monks founded in the 5th century, purportedly by St Patrick; diocesan cathedral 1111 to present	Aladh; Cell-aladh
Killedan Friary ≈		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual or Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular; existing into the 19th century if Mons Pietatis	Mons Pietatis?
Killeen Cell,≈ Attymas		Premonstratensian Canons	possibly Killeentrynode
Killeenatrava Nunnery		Augustinian nuns — Arroasian — apparently from Cong; possibly initially a cell of Cong, founded after 1223; dependent on Kilcreevanty after 1223-4; dissolved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth	'Kill-ecrau; Kill-eenacrava; Cillin-na-mbuiden
Killeenbrenan Friary		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular — possibly brethren and sisters; founded before 1426, possibly by a de Burgo; dissolved 1574; granted to Thomas Lewis 5 April 1574; granted to the burgesses and commonalty of Athenry and/or the burgesses and commonalty of Galway, 1578	Killina Bonaina; Kilbrenan
Killeentrynode Cell		Premonstratensian Canons founded 1260; daughter of Loughkea; probably non-conventual; dubiously suggested Premonstratensian nuns; dissolved before 1594	The Holy Trinity ____________________ Killetrynode; Killyn Abbey; Killeen Teampull na gCailmat; Templenagalliaghdoo; Teampall na gCailleach Dubh; (Church of the Black Veiled Nuns)
Kilmaine Monastery		Gaelic monks, purportedly founded in the 5th century by St. Patrick; became prebendal church of Tuam	Cell-medhon
Kilmore Monastery		early monastic site	Kilmore by Termoncarragh; Teampall na Cille More
Kilmore-Moy Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded in the 5th century	Cell-mor-ochtair-muaide; Cell-mor-muaide; Kilmormoyle
Kilnamanagh Friary ø		purported Franciscan Friars — evidence lacking	Cell-na-manach
Kilroe Monastery		early monastic site, founded c. 5th century	Cell-ro; Cell-roe-mor	(approx?)
		early monastic site, founded c. 7th century by St Lunecharia (Luineachair)	Cell-lunechuir; Killukin	(approx?)
Kilveny Friary ≈~		purported Franciscan Friars — evidence lacking	Kilreny; Kilkeny; Kilkenny
Kinlough Monastery		early monastic site, founded c. 8th century	Ceann-lacha; Cenn-lacha
Knock Carmelite Monastery		Carmelite nuns	Monastery of the Nativity, Tranquilla, Knock
Knockor Friary ~		foundation, order and dissolution unknown; granted to John Rawson 1594	Knocknor
Lia na Manach Monastery		early monastic site, possibly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick	Leac-fionnbaile; Lecc-finn
Mayo Abbey		early monastic site, Anglo-Saxon monks founded c. 671 by St Colman of Lindisfarne; supposed Benedictine monks — evidence lacking diocesan cathedral see transferred from Clogher 1152; see transferred to Clogher c. 1192; Augustinian Canons Regular secular college founded c. 1209; abbey status c. 1370, confirmed by the pope; dissolved after 1569; granted to John Rawson 1594; Benedictine 109	St Michael ____________________ Mageo; Magneo; Temple Gerald; Elitheria
Mayo Nunnery ≈		nuns founded in the 7th century?	possibly Domnach Kerne or Domnach-ceirne
Meelick Monastery		early monastic site	Mil-eac
Moyne Abbey		possibly Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual? founded before 24 March 1455 by Lord Mac William de Burgo, purportedly at the instance of Father Nehemias O'Donohue, or 1458 by Thomas de Burgo, MacWilliam (or by a Baret or Barry); Observant Franciscan Friars reformed (or founded) 1455;-60; dissolved 1590, burnt by Bingham; ruinous by 1595; granted to Edmund Barrett; friars remained until another house was built in the vicinity (see immediately below)	Maighin; Maigne; Magyn; Moyen; Muaidhe
Moyne Friary		Observant Franciscan Friars — from Moyne Abbey (see immediately above) founded 1618
Murrisk Abbey		Augustinian Friars founded 1456, papal mandate for Hugh O'Malley, friar at Banada, to be licensed to build a monastery; Observant reformed 1458; dissolved 1578, friars expelled; granted to James Garvey; friars apparently later returned;	Leithearwmursge; Muirisce; Morasque; Morisk
Murrisk Friary ≈	erroneously purported Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
Oughaval Monastery #		early monastic site, purportedly founded in the 6th century by St Colmcille	Nuachongbhail
Partry Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 6th century?, in the time of St Colmcille?	Obdacheara; Partraighe-ceara; Odbhacheara in Partragia
Rathfran Priory		Dominican Friars founded 1274, purportedly by a de Exeter (Dexter), possibly Steven de Exeter or Sir Richard de Exeter, or by a de Burgo, possibly William de Burgo; dissolved 1590, burned by Bingham's army; granted to William Taaffe 1596; (later history v. O'Heyne, Burgo, Coleman, RSAI and Mould)	Priory of the Holy Cross ____________________ Rathbran; Raithbrain; Rahrany
Rosserk Friary		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded before December 1441 dissolved c. 1578; lease granted to James Garvey; possibly later restored and dissolved 1590, burned by Bingham; granted to Edmond Barret 1595; suggested Observant Franciscan Friars	Ros-erc; Roisent; Rosserick
St Derivla's Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded in the 6th century by St Dairbhile
Shrule Monastery		early monastic site	Sruthair; Cloghuanaha
Strade Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded c. 1240 (before 1252) by Jordan de Exeter, Lord of Athelthane or his son Stephen, at the bequest of the former's wife Basilia, daughter of Miler de Bermingham; Observant Franciscan Friars reform adopted unknown date dissolved 1252; Dominican Friars refounded 1252 or 1253; dissolved 1578?	The Holy Cross ____________________ Straide; Sraid; Ath-leathan; Ath-leayn; 'Ballylahan; Templemore
Turlough Monastery		early monastic site, possibly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick; probably ceased to be monastic long before church pillaged by Mac William 1236	Turlach
Urlaur Abbey		Dominican monks founded c. 1430 by the Angulo (Nagle) family (later assuming the name MacCostello), papal license granted 1434; dissolved 1612; granted to Sir Edward Fisher; later granted to Lord Dillon (Viscount Costello-Gallen), a Catholic, who permitted a community of friars; dissolved c. 1654	The Abbey Church of Saint Thomas, Urlaur ____________________ Urlare; Orlare; Orlare; Owrelare

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

2

See also

• List of monastic houses in Ireland