List of monastic houses in County Tipperary explained

Numerous Christian monasteries have existed in the territory that is now County Tipperary in Ireland, some founded in the Celtic Christian period and more after the reforms of Saint Malachy. The Reformation in Ireland saw the dissolution of the monasteries, but after the easing of the Penal Laws against Roman Catholicism new ones were opened.

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OnLine References & Location
Baptistgrange ~Crutched Friars (Augustinian rule)
non-conventual grange of St John the Baptist's, Dublin;
leased to the Countess of Ormond 1541
Athforth;
Achadfada;
Achfada
Ardcrony Monasteryearly monastic site, under coarbsArdcroine52.9346°N -8.1554°W
Ardfinnan Monastery #early monastic site, founded late 7th century? by St Finan Lobhar (Finan the Leper);
burned by the Normans 1178Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
foundation and founder unknown;
dissolved c.1542; occupancy by Robert Butler 1548
Ard-finain;
Ard-fenan
52.2996°N -7.8951°W
Ardfinnan Preceptory? #possibly Knights Templar, initially under Templetown;
Knights Hospitaller, under Kilsaran
founded 1212? (when church confirmed to the Hospitallers)
Athassel PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular
founded 1192 (c.1200) by William de Burgo, confirmed by King John 1205;
erroneously attributed as Trinitarian;[1]
held in commandam by Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel;
dissolved 1541; leased to Dermot Ryan;
granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Ossory 1557; (NM)
Priory of St Edmund, King and Martyr
____________________
Ath-an-tuisil;
Ath-iseal;
Ath-aysill;
Hachassel;
Hassel
52.479°N -7.9832°W
Cahir PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1200–1220 (during the reign of King John) by Galfrid de Camville;
dissolved 1540; church parochial and conventual buildings occupied by Sir Thomas Butler by January 1541;
priory alienated by William Hutchinson and Edward Walshe 1561;
granted to Sir Edmond Butler 1566
St Mary
____________________
Caher;
Cathair-duine-iascaid;
Cahir-Dunesk;
Cayrdunheach;
Chaier
[2]

52.3793°N -7.9286°W
Carrick on Suir PrioryFranciscan nuns
founded 1385?;
dissolved 1542?
house purportedly built on site, before 1603 (during the reign of Elizabeth I) by Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond as principal residence for the earls of Ormond
Carrick-magriffin
Carrig-magriffin;
Roche Swiry
52.3443°N -7.4166°W
Carrick on Suir Hospital PrioryOrder of St Thomas of Acon
founded c.1236 by William de Cantelo, with the consent of his wife Dionisia, confirmed by John de Norragh c.1250;
dependent on Acon, London;
dwellings leased to James White 1530;
leased to Peter Butler, Earl of Ossory 1534 (Earl of Ormond from 1537);
dissolved 1536?; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond
Hospital of St John the Evangelist
Carrick on Suir — Mount St Nicholas Monastery52.3483°N -7.4005°W
Carrick on Suir HospitallersKnights Hospitaller, frankhouse under the Hospital of Any, recorded 1541
Cashel Monasteryearly monastic site, foundation unknown;
diocesan cathedral
built 1101 or 1111
rebuilt 1169-72 by Domnall Mór O'Brien;
rebuilt after c.1224
Caiseal;
Caissel-narig
52.5201°N -7.8905°W
Cashel PrioryBenedictine monks
dependent on Ratisbon;
founded before 1134 at the instance of Dirmicius, Abbot of Ratisbon;
St Cormac's probably the monks' chapel;
expelled 1269-72 by David Mac Carwill, Archbishop of Cashel
St James
Cashel Dominican FriaryDominican Friars
founded 1243 by David O'Kelly, a Dominican friar of Cork;
burned accidentally;
rebuilt and co-founded by John Cantwell 1480;
partly leased by Prior Edward Brown 1535-6;
dissolved 1540; surrendered by Prior Edward Brown 8 April 1540; leased to Peter Kelly and Walter Fleming;
granted to Walter Fleming 1543-4;
receiver Walter Houthe 1548; (NM)
St Dominic[3]

52.518°N -7.8877°W
Cashel Franciscan Friary #Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual;
founded c.1265 (during the reign of Henry III) by Lord William Hacket;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed 1538;
rented to Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, December 1538;
dissolved 1540; surrendered by Diermit, guardian, 7 April 1540;
friars apparently permitted to remain;
abandoned due to religious persecution c.1550, a new house being provided for them 1618 (see immediately below);
site now occupied by St John the Baptist R.C. parish church
'Hackett's Abbey'52.5164°N -7.8844°W
Cashel Franciscan Friary, later siteObservant Franciscan Friars
founded 1618
Cashel HospitallersKnights Hospitaller
frankhouse under the Hospital of Any, recorded 1541
Cluain-conbruin Monastery ~≈?early monastic site, founded by St Abbanpossibly Rathcoun (infra)
Clonfinglass Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by St AbbanCluain-finndglaisse52.4583°N -8.0733°W (?)
Clonmel FriaryFranciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded 1269 by Otho de Grandison or the Geraldine family (the earls of Desmond), or by the townsmen of Clonmel;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed 1536;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Robert Travers, guardian, 8 March 1540;
granted to the town 1541-2;
later granted to James, Earl of Ormond
reopened in 1827 on the original site
[4] [5]
52.3526°N -7.7003°W
Clonmel White FriaryCarmelite Friars
foundation unknown;
dissolved c.1541, surrendered by the prior by April 1541;
church found to be in parochial use;
refounded by c.1737
Clonmel Black FriaryDominican Friars
probably founded shortly before 1641;
probably dissolved at the Cromwellian persecution;
friars made an unsuccessful bid to return after the Restoration
Clonoulty PreceptoryKnights Templar
founded before 1200?, founder unknown;
dissolved 1308-11;
Knights Hospitaller
Clon-al;
Clon-aul;
Clonnell
52.6043°N -7.9578°W (approx?)
Colethe Grange ~Cistercian monks
grange of Holycross, granted by Donal O'Brien
Cealuatair;
Colethr;
Cul-etu
Coninga Monastery ~≈?early monastic site, founded by St Declan of Ardmore for some of his disciples; possibly located in County Tipperarypossibly Ardfinnan (supra)
Corbally PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular — from Monaincha
founded c.1485?;
dissolved before 1585; granted to Sir Lucas Dillon 1585-6
SS Mary and Hilary
Holy Cross (from c.1485)
St Mary (from 1486-7)
____________________
Corbhaile;
Monaincha
52.9479°N -7.7737°W
Daire-mor Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by mid 7th centuryDoire-mor52.6089°N -7.6442°W
Derrynavlan Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 800Daire-edhnigh;
Daire-eithne
52.5725°N -7.7079°W
Donaghmore Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century (during the time of St Colmcille and Ita) by Farannan, bishopDomnach-mor-maige-femen52.4454°N -7.7215°W (approx)
Donaghmore Monasteryearly monastic site, probably founded by St Erc of Donaghmore, County KildareKillerk52.413°N -7.725°W
Dromineer Monastery ø purported intended foundation of monks, order unknown, which was never implemented; 12th century ruins
St. Aibhe's Monastery, Emly #early monastic site, founded 5th/6th century by St Ailbe;
diocesan cathedral
1111
see united to Cashel 1562;
secular college founded after 1505 and before 1542 by Bishop Thomas Hurley (dissolved c.1562);
site currently occupied by St Ailbe's C.I. parish church
Imlech-Ibhair;
Imblech-iobhair
52.4632°N -8.3516°W
Fethard PrioryAugustinian Friars
founded 1306, site granted by Walter Mulcote;
dissolved 1540; granted to Edmund Butler, Baron of Dunboyne 16 January 1544;
ruins regained c.1820
new Augustinian house established in Fethard;
nave restored for parochial use 19th century
Holy Trinity
____________________
Fiodh-ard;
Fetherd;
Fiard;
Fyddert
[6] [7]

52.4661°N -7.6905°W
Fethard Friary ølisted in 1573 as Dominican Friars;[8]evidence lacking
Galbally FriaryFranciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded 1471 by O'Brien;
plundered 1472;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed c.1536?;
officially suppressed 1540;
granted to John, brother of the Earl of Desmond 1543-4, friars permitted to remain;
dissolved 1570; (NM)
Gallbhaile-eatharlach;
Mowre;
Moor Abbey
52.4025°N -8.2781°W
Glenkeen Monastery ≈? early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick (if Glenshaoin) or St Culan (if in the valley of Glean-chaoin)Glean-chaoin;
Glenn-chaoin
52.767°N -8.0203°W (approx?)
Holy Cross Abbey +early monastic site, purportedly hermit monks in the woods;
Benedictine monks?
possibly founded 1169? by Donal (Mor) O'Brien, King of Limerick;
Cistercian monks — from Monasteranenagh
founded 1180;
subject to Furness 1249;
subject to Monasteranenagh 1278;
subject to Mellifont 1289;
erroneously given as Tironensian;[9]
dissolved 1540;
granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond during the reign of Queen Mary, confirmed after 1558 by Elizabeth I;
granted to Gerald, Earl of Ormond, 1563; monks permitted to remain in the abbey or the vicinity;
in use as secular college 1540, probably until accession of Queen Mary 1553;
became ruinous;
restored for worship 1971-75; (NM)
Holycross;
Monaster-na-croiche-naoimhe;
Sancta Crux;
Oterlaun;
Wochturlawyn;
52.6393°N -7.868°W
Hore AbbeyCistercian monks — from Mellifont
refounded 1272 by David Mac Carwill, Archbishop of Cashel;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Abbot Patrick Stackbold;
leased to Sir Henry Radcliffe 1561
52.5185°N -7.8981°W
Ibracense Monastery ~order unknown, founded 1127 or soon after by St Malachy for brethren from Ulster; possibly located in County Tipperary
early monastic site, founded before 656 by St Pulcherius;
Cistercian monks — probably from Mellifont
founded 1147-8 (before May 1148);
dependent on Monateranenagh from 1151;
dissolved 1540; granted to Cormac M'Teigh M'Carthy
Inis-leamhnachta;
Inis-lannaught;
Suir;
de Surio
52.3453°N -7.7439°W
Inishlounaght NunneryCistercian? nuns
purported house adjoining the Cistercian monks' abbey (see immediately above);
foundation and status unknown;
dissolved 1228 by Stephen of Lexington
Kilbarron Monastery"ruins",[10] traditionally monastic — evidence lacking52.9771°N -8.2625°W
Kilcash Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by St Colman ua hEirc?Cell-caisi52.3972°N -7.5233°W
Kilclispeen Monasteryearly monastic site; decorated high crosses remainCell-clispin;
Kilklispeen
52.4126°N -7.3933°W
Kilcommon PrioryBenedictine monks
dependent on Glastonbury, Somerset;
founded c.1200 by Philip of Worcester;
dissolved c.1332?, probably abandoned following Glastonbury's loss of property in Ireland
SS Philip, James and Armin (Cumin)
____________________
Kil-comin;
Kil-cumin
52.3478°N -7.9182°W
Kilcooly Abbeypossibly Benedictine monks
founded c.1182, site granted to the coarb of Mag Airb by Donal Mor O'Brien;
Cistercian monks — from Jerpoint
(re?)founded 1184, confirmed by Henry III;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Abbot Thomas Shortall 8 April 1540;
church was found to be in parochial use 11 January 1541; occupier James, Earl of Ormond; (NM)
St Mary the Virgin and St Benedict;
St Mary (confirmation of Henry III)
____________________
Albicamp;
de Arvi Campo;
Arvicampus
Kil-cuile;
Kil-coul;
Kyllecouill
52.6692°N -7.5581°W
Kilkeary Monasteryearly monastic site, nuns, founded before 679;
mistaken for Kilcrea, County Cork[11]
Cell-cere52.8327°N -8.1236°W
Killalie Friary
Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular — actually Killeenagalive, infra
Killeennagallive FriaryFranciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
founded before 1461;
dissolved 1543, possibly abandoned during persecution;
Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded after 1543;
dissolved during the reign of Elizabeth I?
Killin-ndeallubh;
Killin-enallagh;
Killin-nandealbh;
Killalowe;
Kyllalie;
Templebredon
52.5021°N -8.3531°W (approx)
Kilmore Monasteryearly monastic siteCell-mor-aradtire52.8105°N -8.2308°W
Lady's Abbey Carmelite nuns
founded after 1314?;
dissolved c.1541?
Mainister-Mhuire;
Ardfinnan
Latteragh Monastery early monastic siteLeatharach;
Leitrioch-odrain;
Leitreach-odrain;
Lettir-odrain;
Lattracha
52.8047°N -8.0352°W
Leamakevoge Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by St Mochemoc (Pulcherius);
also erroneously given as County Offaly, by confusion with Manchán of Lemanaghan[12]
Liath-mochoemocc;
Liath-mor;
Leighmore;
Lethmor;
Liethmor
52.6713°N -7.7139°W ?
Lemdruim Monastery ~early monastic site;
also given as Lorum, County Carlow[13]
early monastic site, founded before 558 by St Brendan;
refounded before 584 by St Ruadhan;
burned by the Norsemen 845;
church built on site c.1000, ruins remain
53.0915°N -8.12°W
Lorrha Priory #Augustinian Canons Regular
founded after 1140?, on the site of the earlier monastery (see immediately above), apparently built to the north of the earlier monastic church;
burned 1157 and 1179;
to new site, adjacent (see immediately below);
church in parochial use; became ruinous;
19th-century C.I. parish church built adjacent
St Rogan / St Ruadan
____________________
Lothea;
Loghera;
Lorrah;
Lurchoe;
de Fontis Vivi de Lochra;
Lothor
53.0919°N -8.1211°W
Lorrha Priory of St RuadánAugustinian Canons Regular
founded at earlier site (see immediately above) c.1140, dissolved c.1578?; lease granted to John Hogan, former prior, 2 June 1552, who possibly allowed the Canons to remain;
Augustinian Friars
founded c.1643
53.0919°N -8.1212°W
Lorrha FriaryDominican Friars
founded 1269 by Walter de Burgo, Earl of Ulster;
dissolved 1552;
lease granted to John Hogan, former prior of the Augustinian Priory, 2 June 1552
erroneously shown as "Franciscan Abbey (in ruins)" on Ordnance Survey https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,591563,704498,7,9
St Peter, Martyr53.091°N -8.1258°W
Lorrha Abbey suggested Benedictine monks[14]
founded by St Deicola? (Deicolus?)
Molough Prioryearly monastic site, nuns, abbey? founded late 5th century;
Augustinian nuns
priory, founded 14th century? by the Butler family;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Prioress Joan Powere, 11 April 1540;
granted to Robert Butler c.1540;
church found to be in parochial use 1541;
leased to Sir Henry Ratcliff 1576
St Brigid
____________________
Molaca-Brigde;
Mainistir-Brigde;
Mag-lacha;
Moillagh;
Mollaghe;
Moylagh
52.2797°N -7.8006°W
Monaincha Prioryearly monastic site, Culdees hermits
founded 6th century;
existing in the time of St Cainnech of Aghaboe;
Culdees moved to the chapel of St Colum on the arrival of the Augustinians;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded after 1140;
dissolved c.1485?, transferred to Corbally;
Augustinian Friars
St Hilary;
St Mary (from c.1400?)
Holy Cross (from 18 April 1485)
____________________
Mona Incha;
Inis-locha-cré;
Inis-na-mBeo;
Loch-cré;
Inchinemeo;
Cree-stagnum;
Inchanames;
Kilbar [sic.]
52.9463°N -7.748°W
Nenagh FriaryFranciscan Friars
founded 13th century (during the reign of Henry III) by a Kennedy (possibly L. O'Kennedy) or a Butler
dissolved before 1587; granted on lease to Robert Collum (Collam) 1587
Aonagh-urmumam;
Oinach-urmumam;
Enagh;
Lenaenach;
Venath
52.8629°N -8.1967°W
Nenagh — Tyone Priory HospitalFratres Cruciferi under Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1200 by Theobald Walter, Pincerna of Ireland;
burned by O'Kennedy 1342
became secular 1541-2, dependent on St John's, Dublin;
dissolved 1551; granted to Oliver Grace 1563
St John the Baptist
____________________
Tyone Priory
52.8553°N -8.1842°W
Rathcoun Monastery"Site of monastery",[15] supposed friary[16] 52.4988°N -7.9218°W
Rathronan CameraKnights Templar
founded 13th century;
dissolved 1308;
Knights Hospitaller
52.386°N -7.7005°W ?
Roscrea FriaryFranciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded before 1477;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed c.1490;
dissolved c.1579, destroyed by the Protestants, friars fled;
granted to the Earl of Thomond c.1568, assigned to William Crow
Ros-cré;
Ruiscre
52.9525°N -7.7997°W
Roscrea Monasteryfounded 7th century by St Cronan;
Augustinian Canons
founded c.1140, canons possibly introduced by St Malachy 1140-8;
diocesan cathedral 1152;
became parochial apparently c.1195 when diocese united to Killaloe
52.9555°N -7.7955°W
St Peakaun Monasteryearly monastic site, possibly founded before the time of Becan;
(re?)founded by St Abban
Cluain-ard-mobecoc;
Kilpeacon;
Pekaun
52.4088°N -7.9931°W
Senros Monastery early monastic siteSean Ros nr Monaincha
Shanrahan Monasteryearly monastic site, possibly founded before c.637 by St Cataldus Sean-raithin52.2732°N -8.0145°W
Templemore AbbeyKnights Templar, stationed here, purportedly occupying the castle52.7972°N -7.8406°W
Terryglass Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 549 by St Colum "Mac Cremthainn";
burned 1112 and 1164
Tir-da-glas;
Tir
53.0547°N -8.2044°W
Thurles FriaryCarmelite Friars
founded c.1291-1300 by the Butler family;
dissolved 1540, when already ruinous;
granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Ossory 1557, friars remaining in the vicinity;
listed as a restored convent existing c.1737
[17]

52.6803°N -7.809°W
Thurles GreyfriarsFranciscan Friars
probable post-medieval establishment
Thurles Preceptorypurported Knights Templar, who occupied the castle, with another fortress ascribed to them
traditionally Knights Hospitaller
Tipperary FriaryAugustinian Friars
founded c.1300?, possibly by Stephen Butler;
dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior Donough O'Cuyrke (O'Quirk) 7 April 1539, by which time ruinous;
granted to Dermot Ryan of Tipperary 1541
Tiobrain-arann;
Tioprat-arann;
Tipra-arann;
Tiperary
52.4723°N -8.1604°W
Toomyvara Prioryearly monastic site, purportedly founded 6th or 7th/8th century by St Donan 407;
Augustinian Canons Regular
priory cell, dependent on Monaincha;
founded 1140;
dissolved before 1585; granted to Milned Magrath, Archbishop of Cashel, 30 December 1585
St Donan;
St Mary
____________________
Tuaim-ui-mheadhra;
Thomedonyn;
Tamdonayn;
Theym;
Toem;
Toome
52.8498°N -8.0353°W
Tullamain Monasteryearly monastic site;
plundered 1026
52.4685°N -7.7821°W

See also

Notes and References

  1. cf Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, p.150
  2. Web site: Cahir Abbey, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.. dirl.com.
  3. Web site: Dominic's Abbey . 26 September 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100131045655/http://www.cashel.ie/attractions/dominics.htm . 31 January 2010 . cashel.ie .
  4. Web site: Clonmel. franciscans.ie. 2014-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20141210151827/http://www.franciscans.ie/friaries/our-friaries/27-clonmel. 2014-12-10. dead.
  5. Web site: Clonmel: Its Monastery, and Siege by Cromwell. libraryireland.com.
  6. Web site: Site details: Fethard - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources. tth2.co.uk.
  7. Web site: Fethard Priory. bravehost.com.
  8. Ex. Reg. (IV, p.39) Mag. — no other record found
  9. Monasticon (1846) v. 150;
  10. Ordnance Survey
  11. Colgan and Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.72
  12. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.402
  13. Petrie, p.40
  14. Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, pp.71-72
  15. Ordnance Survey
  16. Ordnance Survey Letters, O'Donovan and others (Royal Irish Academy)
  17. Web site: CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION, THURLES. cashel-emly.ie.