List of monastic houses in County Kilkenny explained

width=15%Foundationwidth=5%Imagewidth=30%Communities & Provenancewidth=20%Formal Name or Dedication
& Alternative Names!width=10%
OnLine References & Location
Achardensis Friary ø~supposed Augustinian Friars, possibly in the barony of Ossory location unknownAchiardensis
Archer?
Aghaviller Monasteryearly monastic site, patronised by St Brendan of BirrAchad-biroir[1]
52.4655°N -7.2681°W
Anothmolt AbbeyCistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire
(community founded at Loughmerans c.1202);
transferred here c.1204;
dissolved c.1207, transferred to new site at Graiguenamanagh
Annamult;
Achermolt;
Athermolt
Ballylarkin Abbey øasserted monastic site, order unknown
founded 13th century?; 'abbey';[2] ruins of a parish church; (NM)
Calime in Leinster ~≈?Augustinian Friars, probably a duplication of Callanpossibly Callan
Callan PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1215
'Callan Abbey'
Callan Augustinian FriaryAugustinian Friars
founded 1461 (1468-9) by James (buried here), son of Edmund Butler (son of Sir Richard Butler) who, with his wife, petitioned the Pope who instructed the Abbot of Ferns to instigate the foundation;
Observant Augustinian Canons Regular
refounded 1472;
ruinous by 1540;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Prior William O'Fogarty;
held by the executors of the estate of the late Earl of Ormond 1548; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond 1557-8 with friars in occupancy periodically
Calainn;
Calime
52.5458°N -7.3871°W
Callan FriaryAugustinian Friars
founded 1766
Clonamery Monasteryearly monastic siteSt Bronndan52.4754°N -7.0382°W
Clonfert Kerpan Abbey ~early monastic site, founded 503
Clonmore Monasteryearly monastic site, granted to St Mochoemoc (Pulcherius)Cluain-or, in Ossory52.3055°N -7.2889°W
Columbkille Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 6th century by St ColmcilleKilgriffin52.5417°N -7.1322°W
Duiske Abbey +, GraiguenamanaghCistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire
(community founded at Loughmerans c.1202)
transferred here from Annamult c.1207, built by William the elder, Earl of Pembroke;
dissolved 1536;
part of church is in R.C. ecclesiastical use; (NM)
Graiguenamanach;
Graignambreathach;
Douske;
Duiske;
Donyske;
Vallis S. Salvatoris
52.5412°N -6.9547°W
Drumdelig FriaryDominican Friars[3]
novices house, or Franciscan Friars[4] (the latter had land near Dromdelygen 1541)
Thornback;
Druim-Deilgneach;
Dhrime-Dhilignach
52.6884°N -7.2872°W
Ennisnag Monastery # C.I.early monastic site, founded c. 6th century, by Manchan;
Prebend Church, founded 1291 by papal authority
suppressed c. 16th century; ruins
new Protestant church, St. Peters, founded 19th century.
Saint Manchan,
Saint Máedóc
--------------
Inis-Snaig
Inisnag
52.5532°N -7.2355°W
Fertagh Prioryearly monastic site, founded 5th century by St Ciaran of Seirkieran (St Keiran);
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1251 by the English family of Blanchfield;
destroyed and ruinous 1421;
rebuilt 1455 by Thady Megirid, a canon of Inchmacnerin;
dissolved 1540;
priory church in parochial use by 6 January 1541;
occupied by Nicholas Cowlye;
held by Sir Edward Butler 1566;
reverted to James Butler, Jr 1566-7;-1780;
now part of a handball alley
St Keirman
____________________
Fertae-cairech;
Fertnegeragh;
Fertakeyra;
Frattakyreach;
Grangefertagh
[5] [6]

52.7785°N -7.5443°W
Fiddown Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before late 6th century;
coarbs at least until 1073;
church demolished 1870
Fedh-duin;
Fiodh-duin;
Fid-duin
52.3259°N -7.3029°W
Freshford Monastery +early monastic site, founded 655-7 by St Lachtain mac Torben, Abbot of Achaid-Ut;
probably continuing after 1111;
site currently occupied by 17th-century St Lachtain's parochial church incorporating 12th century doorway
Achad-ur;
Aghoure
[7]

52.7327°N -7.3978°W
Gowran CameraKnights Templar
founded before 1253;
dissolved 1308, church passed to the Hospitallers
Gabran;
Gawran
52.6324°N -7.0593°W
St. Mary's Collegiate Church GowranCollegiate Church
Founded before 1225, Contains a Christianised Ogham Stone from 3rd/4thc. Also the oldest inscribed effigy in Ireland of Ralph, portrieve of Gowran in 1218. The effigy is dated 19 March 1253. The church also contains tombs and effigies of the Butlers of Ormonde. Experts believe that St. Mary's Church was built on the site of an earlier monastery.
dissolved 1308, church passed to the Hospitallers
Gabhrán;
Gowran
52.6324°N -7.0593°W
Inistioge Abbey =+early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century, purportedly by St Colmcille;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1206 by Thomas Fitz Anthony;
dissolved 1540;
church in parochial use by 8 January 1541;
occupied by Richard Butler;
granted to Sir Edmond Butler 1566;
incorporated into current C.I. parish church
St Mary and St Colmcille
____________________
St Columba
Inis-teoc;
Inis-tiock;
Ynysteoc
52.4892°N -7.0655°W
Jerpoint Abbeyprobably Benedictine monks
founded 1158 (1166–70);
Cistercian monks — from Baltinglass
founded 1180, grant of church confirmed by charter of John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton c.1185;
dissolved 1540; church in parochial use by 7 January 1541; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Ossory 1558; (NM). Thomastown R.C. church contains the high altar from the abbey
Baleochellam;
de Geriponte
52.5109°N -7.158°W
Jerpoint NunneryCistercian(?) nuns
foundation unknown
adjacent to the monks' abbey;
dissolved 1228, removal ordered by Stephen of Lexington
52.5104°N -7.1572°W (approx)
Kells Prioryearly monastic site, founded by St Ciaran of Seirkieran;
secular college
founded 1183 by Geoffrey fitz Robert, confirmed by Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Bishop of Ossory;
Augustinian Canons Regular — from Bodmin, Cornwall
founded 1193 by Geoffrey fitz Robert;
burnt by William de Bermingham 1252;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Nicholas Tobin 18 March, or Philip Howleghan, 8 March;
occupied by James, Earl of Ormond;
church in parochial use by 31 January 1541; part leased to Sir Henry Ratcliff 1576; (NM)
St Mary
____________________
Kells in Ossory;
Cananus;
Keananas
52.5389°N -7.2666°W
Kilcolumb Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille;
probably continuing after 1161
Cell-colum52.3274°N -7.0339°W
Kilfane Monasteryearly monastic site, purported 'abbey' founded by St PhianCell-phaain
Kilferagh Monasteryearly monastic site, purportedly founded by St Fiachrius;
church in the monastery of Rathen
Kil-fiachra;
Kil-feara
52.6189°N -7.1793°W
Kilkenny Augustinian FriaryAugustinian Friars
"former canons' monastery"[8]
Kilkenny Black Abbey +Dominican Friars
founded 1225 by William Marshal the younger, Earl of Pembroke (purportedly buried here, but actually at Temple Church, London);
dissolved 1540; granted to the Sovereign and commonality of Kilkenny 1543; friars apparently remained in the vicinity
reoccupied during the right of Queen Mary;
used as a courthouse;
church restored 1970s; now in parochial use
Holy Trinity Priory52.6542°N -7.2578°W
Kilkenny Carmelite Friarylisted as not restored c.1737[9]
Kilkenny Cathedral Monastery +early monastic site, founded before 599/600 by St Canice;
episcopal diocesan cathedral 1111; extant
52.6542°N -7.2575°W
Kilkenny Grey FriaryFranciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded 1232-40;
dissolved 1540; granted to the Sovereign and the commonality of Kilkenny 1543;
friars expelled by John Bale c.1550;
returned 1553;
expelled 1559, abandoned;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed 1609;
convent refounded 1612;
refounded 1640
The Abbey Church of Saint Francis, Kilkenny52.6559°N -7.2536°W
Kilkenny HospitallersKnights Hospitaller
"liberum hospicum" 1335;
"frankehouse" 1541
Kilkenny HospitalKnights of St Thomas of Acon
founded before 1219 by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, confirmed to the knights and brothers by charter of Gilbert Marshall, Earl of Pembroke
The Hospital of Saint John the Baptist
Kilkenny, St John's Prioryhospital, founded c.1202 by William Marshal the elder, Earl of Pembroke
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1211;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Richard Cantwell, 19 March;
in parochial use by 4 January 1541; granted to the Mayor and citizens of Kilkenny
Hospital of St John the Evangelist
The Priory Church of Saint John, Kilkenny
____________________
St John's Priory without the walls;
St John the Baptist
Kilkenny Nunnery
Kilkieran Monasteryearly monastic site, high crossesCell-cainnig;
Canocopolis
[10] [11] [12]

52.3978°N -7.3807°W
Killaloe Monasteryearly monastic site, founded c.540 by St MochuaCell-molua52.5819°N -7.4406°W (approx)
Killamery Monasteryearly monastic site, possibly founded c.632 by St Gobhan;
probably not continuing after 10th century
Cell-Lamhraighe;
Killamruidhe
52.5121°N -7.43°W (approx)
Killenny Abbeypossible Benedictine monks
founded 1162-5, site granted by Dermot O'Ryan, liegeman of Dermot Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, to Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Abbot of Ossory, confirmed by Dermot;
Cistercian monks — from Jerpoint
founded 1184;
united to Graiguenamanagh 22 July 1227, confirmed by Stephen of Lexington
grange of Graiguenamanagh;
granted to Charles Cavenagh, Abbot of Graiguenamanagh for 61 years 10 June 1525;
dissolved 1540, remaining in possession of Cavenagh at least until 1548, unknown whether monks remained in occupation
St Mary and St Benedict
____________________
Vallis Dei;
Glandy;
Barrowmount;
Old Abbey
Kilmanagh Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 563? by St Natalis (or Notan);
probably not continuing after 10th century
Cell-na-manach52.6211°N -7.4282°W (?)
Kilree Monasteryearly monastic site, reputedly founded by St Brigid;
apparently erroneous reference to foundation of an abbey 1176
Cell-righ[13] [14]

52.5181°N -7.2685°W
Knocktopher Friary ^Carmelite Friars
founded 1356 by James Butler, 2nd Earl of Ormond for the friars already in the town;
dissolved before c.1541; granted to Margaret, Countess of Ormond;
friars returned 17th century;
expelled before 1654;
friars returned 1735; convent in existence 1737; remains incorporated into private house, currently in use as a guest house named 'Knocktopher Abbey'
St Mary
The Friary of St Saviour[15]
[16]

52.4829°N -7.2167°W
Knocktopher Carmelite Friary *Carmelite Friars
returned 1735; convent in existence 1737; new church consecrated 1843; extant


52.4824°N -7.2143°W
Loghmere AbbeyCistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire
founded c.1202/4;
transferred to Anothmolt before 1207
Loughmerans Abbey52.6829°N -7.2613°W (approx)
Ossarge AbbeyBenedictine monks
dependent on Wurzburg;
founded before 1148? (before 1162-5);
if Kilkenny, apparently transferred to Jerpoint in, or soon after, 1165;
dissolved 1541
Ossory;
possibly Jerpoint;
possibly Kilkenny
Rosbercon AbbeyDominican friars
founded 1267, purportedly by the Grace family or the Walsh family;
dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior Matthew Flemynge 20 June
St Mary;
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Shankill Monastery"site of Abbey"[17] Seincheall52.686°N -7.0585°W (approx)
Tibberaghny Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 6th century, patronised by St Mo-Dhomnog of Lann BeachaireTipra-fachtnai52.3461°N -7.3592°W (approx)
Tiscoffin Monasteryearly monastic site, 'cella' founded 6th century by St Scuithin (Scuithin)Tech-scruithin;
Tech-scoithin;
Tascoffin
52.6785°N -7.1003°W (approx)
Tullaherin Monasteryearly monastic site, reputedly founded by St Cainnnech;
round tower on site
Tulach-tirm;
Tulach-Iarain
[18]

52.5788°N -7.1281°W
Tullamaine Monasteryearly monastic site;
plundered 1026
Tealach-dimainn;
Tealach-n-ionmainne
Ullard Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 670 by St Fiachra
high cross (9th c.) and ruined church (12th c.)
[19]

52.5803°N -6.9331°W
Woolengrange ~Cistercian monks
grange of Jerpoint;
leased out 1541

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aghaviller Church & Round Tower . irishantiquities.bravehost.com . 12 October 2020.
  2. Ordnance Survey
  3. Tomas de Burgo, Hibernica Dominicana, 1762 edition, p.206, no.iv, repeated by Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.373
  4. W. Carrigan, History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, 1905 iii. p.195
  5. http://monie.tth2.co.uk/browsedb.php?func=showsite&siteID=201 Site details: Fertagh Priory - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources
  6. http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/kilkenny/fertagh/fertagh.html Grangefertagh Round Tower & Church
  7. http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/kilkenny/freshford/freshford.html Freshford Church
  8. Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by J. Stevens, 1722, pp.309,312,317
  9. Arch. Ord. Rome (Carmelite Order), Manuscripts II, C.O. II, 26, p.13 (compiled 1739-59)
  10. http://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/kilkieran-high-cross/71113 Kilkieran High Cross | Attractions | Churches, Abbeys and Monasteries | All Ireland | Republic of Ireland | Kilkenny | Piltown | Discover Ireland
  11. http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Kilkieran.htm High Cross Kilkieran
  12. http://www.megalithomania.com/show/site/368 Prehistoric and Early Ireland @ megalithomania.com - Kilkieran High Cross, County Kilkenny
  13. http://www.roundtowers.org/kilree/ Kilree Irish Round Tower
  14. http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Kilree.htm Kilree High Cross
  15. Lord Killanin & M. V. Duignan, Shell Guide to Ireland, 1962, (new edition 1967), pp.343-4
  16. http://www.carmelites.ie/knocktopher.html Carmelite Friary, Knocktopher & Parish of Ballyhale
  17. Ordnance Survey
  18. http://www.megalithicireland.com/Tullaherin%20Round%20Tower.html Tullaherin Round Tower
  19. http://www.megalithicireland.com/Ullard%20Monastic%20Site.html Ullard Monastic Site