Inishmaine Abbey Explained

Inishmaine Abbey
Other Names:Inis-medhon, Inis-meadhoin, Inis-meadhon, Inchmean
Native Name:Mainistir Inis Meáin
Native Name Lang:ga
Order:Augustinians
Founder:Corbmac
Established:7th century
Disestablished:c. 1587
Diocese:Tuam
Status:ruined
Style:Norman
Location:Inishmaine, Ballinrobe, County Mayo
Coordinates:53.5981°N -9.3013°W
Map Type:Ireland
Public Access:yes
Mother:Kilcreevanty Abbey
Remains:church, gatehouse
Embedded:
Embed:yes
Designation1:National Monument of Ireland
Designation1 Number:302
Designation1 Offname:Inishmaine Abbey

Inishmaine Abbey is a former Augustinian monastery and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.[1]

Location

Inishmaine Abbey is located on the eastern shores of Lough Mask, southwest of Ballinrobe. It once stood on an island, but canal construction lowered the water level and it is now on a peninsula.[2] [3]

History

Inishmaine was an early monastic site, founded in the 7th century by St Corbmac.

It was refounded after 1223 and settled by Arroasian Augustinian nuns (possibly from Annaghdown Nunnery) and was dependent on Kilcreevanty.[4]

Inishmaine Abbey was dissolved c. 1587. During the troubles of the 17th century the Abbey was burned down.[5]

Building

All that remains is the 13th century church and 15th century gatehouse. A number of ashlar blocks in the nave and the lintelled north doorway may have come from an earlier structure. There are carved capitals on the chancel arch.[6] [7]

The twin east window is also decorated in mouldings of wild and imaginary animals.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Augustinian Abbey, Inishmaine, County Mayo - Chancel Arch and East Windows (ID: e%3A2262%2F39227).
  2. Web site: Gothic Past - Augustinian Abbey, Inishmaine, County Mayo - Chancel Arch and East Windows.
  3. Web site: Geineaich ua Ch-Fiachrach. Duald Mac. Firbis. 1 January 1844. Irish archæological society. Google Books.
  4. Web site: St Corbmac, Inishmaine · The Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain & Ireland.
  5. Web site: Inishmaine Abbey, Mayo, Ireland. Ed Hannon-Visions of the. Past. 15 July 2015.
  6. Web site: Inishmaine Abbey, Mayo.
  7. Book: Stokes, William. The Life and Labours in Art and Archaeology, of George Petrie. 20 November 2014. Cambridge University Press. 9781108075701. Google Books.