List of monastic houses in County Roscommon explained

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OnLine References & Location
Ardcarn Prioryearly monastic site, founded in the 6th century;
diocesan cathedral;
Augustinian Canons RegularArroasian?
founded after 1144?;
church possibly shared by Canons and nuns (see immediately below);
dissolved c.1593?; granted to the provost and fellows of Holy Trinity Dublin
Ard-carna;
Ard-charna
53.9673°N -8.2016°W
Ardcarn PrioryAugustinian nunsArroasian?
founded after 1144, possibly by St Malachy;
dependent on Kilcreevanty from before 1223;
church possibly shared by Canons (see immediately above) and nuns;
dissolved c.1590?; granted to Terence (Tirlaughe O'Byrne) 1595;
St Mary
Ardcarn Friary ¤recorded as Franciscan Friars — no monastic house; Friars of Knockvicar owned land in the parish
Ardsenlis Monastery ~≈early monastic site, nuns
founded in the 5th century by St Patrick;
possibly located in County Roscommon
Senlis?
Assylin Monasteryearly monastic site, founded probably before 563 by St Colmcille;
often mistaken for Inshmacnerin
Eas-mac-n-Eirc;
Eas-ui-fhloinn
53.968°N -8.3196°W
Athleague PrioryAugustinian Canons RegularArroasian
probable cell, dependent on Roscommon;
founded before 1266;
dissolved before 1466, vicarage granted to the prior of Rindown
Athliag-maenagain;
Aghliag
53.5705°N -8.261°W
Baslick Monasteryearly monastic site, probably founded in the 5th century (in the time of St Patrick);
plundered by Norsemen 846
Baisleac-mor;
Basleac
53.7858°N -8.4288°W
Bellaneeny FriaryCamelite Friars
dependent on Eglish;
founded after c.1437;
dissolved c.1567, possibly abandoned by the Carmelites; leased to Edmund O'Fallon of Athlone 1575;
Franciscan Friars?
possibly in occupation in the 16th century (during the reign of Elizabeth I)
Baleanany;
Bealaneny;
Belathnaony
53.4074°N -8.1569°W
Bettyfield Abbey øprobably a secular chapelShankill53.8379°N -8.2207°W
Boyle Abbeyearly monastic site, possibly founded in the 5th century, possibly by St Patrick;
sometimes confused with Ath-da-larc, County Meath;
Cistercian monks — from Buniffi
(community founded from Grelachdinach 16 August 1148 by Abbot Peter O'Mordha)
founded 1161;
affiliated to Clairvaux 1228;
dissolved c.1589; granted to Patrick Dusacke of Gerrardston; (NM)
Ath-da-Larc;
Ath-da-laarcc;
Ath-da-laragh;
Buell;
Buill;
Mainister-na-buill
53.9738°N -8.297°W
Boyle Nunnerynuns,
"ruined nunnery"[1] possibly historically located in County Sligo
Caldragh FriaryFranciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
founded before 1487?;
dissolved 1582?; leased to Bryan M'Dermot 1582; granted to Thomas Danby[2]
Caldrywolagh;
Caldra;
Ceall-braughe-uallaighe
Caldragh Nunnerynuns
"nunnery in ruins"[3]
[4]

53.8787°N -8.2428°W
Cam Monasteryearly monastic site, nunsCamma;
Camach
53.4559°N -8.1299°W
Cloonard Abbey ø "Cloonard abbey and church"[5] 53.8066°N -8.5149°W
Cloonburren Monasteryearly monastic site, nuns
founded before 577-8 by Cairech Dergen;
probably dissolved before 1167
Cluain-bronaigh;
Clooncagh
53.3119°N -8.0491°W (approx)
Clooncraff Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 752;
plundered 815
Cluain-crema;
Cluain cremtha
53.8586°N -8.0583°W (approx)
Cloonoghil CellAugustinian nunsArroasian
dependent on Kilcreevanty;
founded before 1223, confirmed to the nuns of Kilcreevanty c.1223 and 1400;
dissolved c.1543?
St Mary
____________________
Cluain-eochaill;
Cluain-ockill
53.3925°N -8.0978°W
Cloonowen Monasteryearly monastic site, possibly founded in the 6th century;
plundered by the Munster men 1089
Cluain-emhain;
Cluain-emuin
53.3786°N -7.9351°W (approx)
Clonrahan Friary ~Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
founded after 1485 by Cathal O'Conor Roe (Rufus);
dissolved (during the reign of Elizabeth I)
Cloon-rane;
Cloon-sreane;
Cloon-rohan
Cloonshanville Priory,
early monastic site, founded in the 5th century? (by the time of St Patrick);
Dominican Friars
founded 1385 by Mac Dermot Roe (Rufus);
priory leased to Hugh boy O'Donnell 1577; lands leased to the mayor of Galway 1578;
friary leased to Bryan Mac Dermot 1580;
dissolved before 1596; leased to William Taaffe of Sligo 1596;
friary later owned by Lord Dillan and rented by a Protestant named Davis
The Holy Cross
____________________
Cluain-sainmhill;
Cluain-senmall;
Cluain-maoil
53.8675°N -8.3902°W
Cloontuskert Prioryearly monastic site, founded in the 6th century by St Faithlinn;
Augustinian Canons RegularArroasian
founded after 1140, probably by an O'Conor - possibly Turlough O'Conor;
dissolved 1563?; granted to Fryall O'Farrell
Cluain-tuaiscirt-na-dina53.6979°N -8.0133°W
Creeve Monasteryearly monastic site, founded in the early 6th century? by St Finnian of ClonardCraebh-ghrellain;
Craebh-mor
53.8691°N -8.2209°W (approx)
Deerane AbbeyAugustinian Canons RegularArroasian — from Roscommon
founded before 1156?, site granted by O'Conor;
double monastery with nuns' priory (see immediately below) until 1223-4;
dissolved c.1578?;
Augustinian Friars
St Mary
____________________
Dhoran;
Daren;
Deerane;
Derreen;
Doren;
Dorhan
53.6618°N -8.1494°W (approx?)
Deerane PrioryAugustinian nunsArroasian
double monastery with Canons' abbey (see immediately above)
founded after 1144;
dependent on Kilcreevanty from before 1223;
dissolved after 1223-4
53.6618°N -8.1494°W (approx?)
Domnach-mor Monastery ≈~early monastic site, possible duplication
Drum Monasteryearly monastic site, founded in the late 5th century? by Diradius (not Diratus of Ferns), brother of St CanocEdardruim53.3983°N -8.0302°W
Drumalgagh PrioryAugustinian nunsArroasian
dependent on Clonard;
founded before 1195, confirmed to the nuns of Clonard;
dependent on Kilcreevanty from before 1223, confirmed to the nuns of Kilcreevanty c.1223 and 1400;
dissolved c.1543?;
owned by Earl of Clanricarde 1641
St Mary
____________________
Druimeliar;
Drumcliff;
Dromalga
53.3004°N -8.1017°W (approx)
Drumconnel Monastery ~early monastic site, founded in the 5th century (in the time of St Patrick) by St Conal?;
also given as located in County Galway
Druim-conaille
Drumconaid AbbeyCistercian monks — from Boyle
founded c.1156, transferred from Grellechdinach;
dissolved 1158-9: transferred to Buniffi/Boyle c.1158/9
Drumcunny;
Drum-conaid
54.0384°N -8.1284°W (approx)
Dysart Abbey øCistercian monks
land granted to St Mary's Abbey, Dublin by Rory O'Conor not later than 1236;
abbey probably never built
Briole;
Bruigheol
Elphin Cathedral Monasteryearly monastic site, traditionally founded c.450 (434 or 435) by St Patrick;
diocesan cathedral c.1130;
see transferred to Roscommon 1152;
see transferred from Roscommon c.1168;
Augustinian Canons Regular - Arroasian?
founded after 1140;
see transferred from Elphin 1244;
dissolved before 1442;
storm damaged 1957, demolished shortly afterwards;
ruins partially restored
St Mary
____________________
Ailfinn;
Ail-find;
Oilfinn;
Olfin;
Emlach-ono
53.8452°N -8.1905°W
Elphin Greyfriars =early monastic site, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick, tradition that Ono, son of Oengus gifted his house to St Patrick;
Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded before 1453, parish church of St Patrick granted to the friars by Cornelius, Bishop of Elphin before 1450, Cornelius was instructed by the Pope to license new friaries 1453;
dissolved 1563, friars expelled by the Protestant bishop, who demolished the friary and built a house from the ruins;
granted to Terence O'Birne-Termor;
erroneously referred to as Dominican in inquisition 1591
St Patrick[6]

Elphin Greyfriars, later siteObservant Franciscan Friars
reformed 1632
[7]

Emlagh Monasteryearly monastic site, founded in the 5th century?, bishop listed in the time of St PatrickImblech-each;
Imblech-brocadha
53.7454°N -8.4562°W
Fuerty Monasteryearly monastic site, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick for deacon JustFidard;
Fidarte
53.6102°N -8.2686°W
Grange Abbey, Kilbride parishpurported abbey[8] Kilcrea53.7289°N -8.2191°W
Grellachdinach Priory ~Cistercian monks — from Mellifont
founded 1148;
dissolved 1155-6, transferred to Drumconaid, Bunfinny and Boyle;
possibly located in County Roscommon
Grellechdinach
Inchmacnerin Abbey,
early monastic site, Patrician monks
founded in the 6th century;
Augustinian Canons RegularArroasian?
founded 1140-70?;
dissolved before 1596;
founded post1140;
dissolved 1569?; granted to William Taaffe 1596; (NM)
St Mary
____________________
Inis-mac-n-erin;
Insula-Macnery;
Insula-Machum;
Inch-vicrinni;
Church Island, Lough Key
(not Eas-mac-eirc, as given by some, which is Assylin (q.v.))
53.9944°N -8.2607°W
Inchmean PrioryBenedictine monks — duplication of Inchmean, County Mayo[9]
Kilbride Abbey ø"Abbey"[10] possibly connected with Derrane Priory, supra53.7013°N -8.1751°W
Kilcanuran Monasteryearly monastic siteCill-ceanuran;
Beech Abbey
[11] [12]

53.8934°N -8.1296°W
Kilconan Abbey ø"Abbey", founded 1339[13]
Kilcooley Monasteryearly monastic site[14] Cell-cuile;
Cul-silinne;
Kilchule
53.7685°N -8.2067°W
Kildallog Monastery ≈~early monastic siteKiltrustan?, (infra)53.816°N -8.1036°W (?)
Killaraght MonasteryHistorical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in County Sligo
Killinmulrooney CellAugustinian nunsArroasian
dependent on Kilcreevanty;
founded before 1223, church granted to the nuns of Kilcreevanty by Pope Honorius III c.1223 and by Pope Boniface IX 1400;
dissolved 1543?
St Mary
____________________
Cuilleen
53.3438°N -8.1415°W (approx)
Kilmore Monasteryearly monastic site, purportedly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick for Conleng and Ercleng;
mistaken by early sources for Kilmore, County Cavan;
Augustinian Canons Regular 155 183;
Augustinian Friars
Cella-magna-deathreab;
Cell-mor-maige-glaiss;
Cell-mor-tir-briuin-na-sina;
Moyglass
53.8891°N -8.0087°W
Kilmore Monasterypossible early monastic site separate from above, founded in the 6th century by St Colmcille;
burned by the Ui Cremthainn 757
Cell-mor-dithrib53.8943°N -8.0116°W
Kilnamanagh Monasteryearly monastic site, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick Cluain-na-manach53.8945°N -8.3986°W
Kilronan Abbey6th century
Kiltrustan Monastery ≈~early monastic site;[15] possibly KildallogKildallog?, (supra)
Knockvicar FriaryFranciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
foundation unknown
erroneously referred to as Dominican Friars, purportedly by the Bingham family,[16] however they were not in Ireland at the time;[17]

dissolved c.1583-4; granted to Richard Kendlemarch (Kyndelinshe)
Cnoc-bhicarre;
Cnoc-an-bicairi
54.0016°N -8.2009°W
Lissonuffy CellAugustinian Canons RegularArroasian
dependent on Cong;
foundation unknown;
dissolved before 1592; granted to Trinity College, Dublin
Liss-O-nDubhthaig;
Lyssenowfe;
Lis-duffe;
Lys-duffe
53.7412°N -7.9921°W
Loughkey Abbeyearly monastic site, founded by 700;[18]
Premonstratensian Canons
daughter of Prémontré
founded after 1217-8 (c.1215) by Clarus MacMailin, archdeacon of Elphin;
raised to abbey status c.1235;
held in commendam by Rory MacDermot from 1548;
granted to Robert Harrison 1594;
dissolved after 1600?, monks probably remained in occupation until 1608; (NM)
The Holy Trinity
____________________
Lough Cé;
Trinity Island
53.9892°N -8.2546°W
Monasterevan Monastery ≈~purportedly Augustinian Canons Regular or Crutched Friars (if Rindown)Rindown?;
Monastereoin?
Ogulla Monasteryearly monastic siteOghdeala53.7776°N -8.2761°W
Oran Monasteryearly monastic site, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick Uaran;
Huaran;
Cell-garad;
Ballydooley
53.6738°N -8.3399°W
Rindown Priory Hospital Crutched Friars (or less likely Knights Hospitaller)
founded before 1216, believed to be by King John for the Cruciferi or for the Knights Hospitallers;
plundered 1229;
raided by Felim O'Conor 1216;
burnt by Aed O'Conor 1270
dissolved before 1569; granted to Christopher Davers 1569;
leased to George Goodman 1588
St John the Baptist
____________________
Randoon;
Rinnduin;
Renydwyn;
Tea-eon;
St John's de Rynndum;
Monaster-eoin-baisde;
Monaster-evin
53.544°N -8.0026°W
Rindown Priory ~≈Premonstratensian Canons, possible confusion with Monasterevan, supraMonasterevan?53.5382°N -7.9932°W
Roscommon Abbeyearly monastic site, founded in the 6th century by St Comman, disciple of St Finnian of Clonard;
diocesan cathedral
see translated from Elphin 1152;
see translated to Elphin c.1168;
Augustinian Canons RegularArroasian
founded after 1140, possibly with Arroasian reformation 1140-8 by Turlogh O'Conor at the instance of St Malachy;
plundered by William de Burgo 1204;
burned by the Anglo-Normans 1235 and 1247;
plundered by Mac William de Burgo 1260;
dissolved before 1578; granted to Sir Nicholas Malbye 1578;
granted to Francis Viscount Valentia 1615;
Augustinian Friars
St Mary
____________________
Ros-comain;
Ros-chomon;
Ros-camain;
Ros-coman
53.6289°N -8.1905°W
Roscommon PrioryAugustinian nunsArroasian
founded after 1144;
possible double monastery with Roscommon Abbey (see immediately above);
dependent on Kilcreevanty after 1223, church confirmed to the nuns of Kilcreevanty by Pope Honorius III c.1223 and by Pope Boniface IX 1400;
dissolved after 1223-4, nuns probably transferred to Termonkeelin after 1223-4
St Mary
Roscommon BlackfriarsDominican Friars
founded 1253 by Felim O'Conor, King of Connacht, buried here;
consecrated 1257 by Thomas O'Conor, Bishop of Elphin;
burned 1270;
dissolved 1573; leased to Thomas le Strange 1573;
ruinous by 1612;
granted to Francis Viscount Valentia 1615;
friars remained in the vicinity, continuing into the 19th century
The Friary Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Roscommon[19]

53.6247°N -8.1919°W
Roscommon GreyfriarsFranciscan Friars
founded 1268–69, founder unknown;
dissolved 1270 when burned;
could not be restored as the founder had died
Templemoyle Abbeypossible early monastic siteKilnanooan53.8031°N -8.2851°W
Termonkeelin PrioryAugustinian nunsArroasian — possibly from Derrane and Roscommon
dependent on Kilcreevanty;
founded after 1223-4;
dissolved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth?
Termon-caelaind;
Termon-Keelan
53.7825°N -8.4671°W
Tibohine Monasteryearly monastic site, founded probably in the late 6th century by St Baithen Mac Cuanach;
plundered by the king of Feara-Manach 1201;
plundered by Aed Muimnech 1233
Tech-Baithin;
Teach-Baithin
53.882°N -8.4515°W (?)
Tisrara Nunnery"Nunnery"[20] 53.5236°N -8.2252°W (approx)
Toberelly FriaryFranciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
cell or chapel, foundation unknown;
dissolved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth
Toberelvy;
Tobar-ailbhe?
53.7588°N -8.3273°W
Toomona FriaryFranciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
founded in the 15th century?, founded by the O'Conor family;
also dubiously given as Dominican Friars
dissolved 1585-8;
granted to Richard Kyndelinshe (Kendlemarch) 1588
Tuaim-mona;
Toemonia;
Towemona;
Tumona
53.7698°N -8.291°W
Tulsk PrioryDominican Friars
founded 1448 by a (Mac)Dowell or other, land granted by Felim (Fedlimid) mac Fedlimid O'Conor, buried here;
dissolved before 1591?; land granted to Terence O'Byrne 1594;
friary granted to William Taaffe 1596;
repaired by Bingham 1595
St Patrick
____________________
Tulsk Abbey;
Tuilsce;
Tuillsgi;
Twilskye
53.7783°N -8.2539°W

See also

Notes and References

  1. Ordnance Survey
  2. Harris's Table, Ware-Harris, Antiquities, 1745
  3. Ordnance Survey
  4. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 24 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,584032,792167,7,9. 29 August 2012. dead.
  5. Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901
  6. Web site: Elphin (Co. Roscommon) / Ail Finn. franciscans.ie. 31 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031220949/http://www.franciscans.ie/friaries/medieval-friaries/connaught/43-ancient-friaries/connaght/108-elphin-co-roscommon-ail-finn. 31 October 2014. dead.
  7. Web site: Elphin (Co. Roscommon) / Ail Finn. franciscans.ie. 31 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031220949/http://www.franciscans.ie/friaries/medieval-friaries/connaught/43-ancient-friaries/connaght/108-elphin-co-roscommon-ail-finn. 31 October 2014. dead.
  8. Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901 and Ordnance Survey (½ inch)
  9. duplication by Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, due to error in Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722
  10. Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901 and Ordnance Survey
  11. Web site: Beech Abbey. nuigalway.ie. 24 September 2014. 1 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141101072816/http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-show.jsp?id=1409. dead.
  12. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 24 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,591485,793787,7,9. 29 August 2012. dead.
  13. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, pp. 290-1, erroneously attributes references to a church in Annals of Loch Cé, edited by William Maunsell Hennessy, M.R.I.A., Dublin, 1939, as being of an abbey
  14. Acta Sanctorum veteris et majoris Scotiae, seu Hiberniæ, Sanctorum Insulae..., p.377
  15. Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, iv, p.2
  16. Louis Augustin Alemand,Monasticum Hibernicum, edited and translated by John Stevens, 1722; p.227
  17. J. O'Heyne, O.P., Irish Dominicans (Epil. Chron. ..), (translated by A. Coleman, O.P., 1902), 1706, p. 271
  18. Conry: Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.614
  19. Web site: Archived copy . 1 November 2014 . 1 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141101183419/http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Heritage/Roscommon_Abbey_Guidebook/Roscommon_Abbey,_Leaflet.pdf . dead .
  20. Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901 and Ordnance Survey (½ inch)