List of monastic houses in County Westmeath explained

width = 15%Foundationwidth = 5%Imagewidth = 30%Communities & Provenancewidth = 20%Formal Name or Dedication
& Alternative Names
width = 10%OnLine References & Location
Ardcharn Monastery early monastic site — actually located in County RoscommonArdcharn in Westmeath
Ardnacrany FriaryCarmelite Friars
founded c.1291 by Robert Dillon, Lord of Drumrany, possibly without license;
(erroneously purported Dominican Friars)
possibly the house licensed 1329;
dissolved c.1540; granted to Robert Dillon 1546
friars re-established in Moate
Ardicarne;
Athnecarne
53.5244°N -7.7785°W
Athlone PrioryCluniac monks — possibly from France
traditionally founded c.1150 by Turlough O'Conor, High King of Ireland; in existence before 1208-10;
dissolved c.1542, before 1567;
granted to Sir Richard Bingham, Commissioner for Galway, c.1589
St Peter;
SS Peter and Paul
____________________
Athluain;
Baile-ath-luain;
Blahluin;
Haulon;
de Innocentia
[1]

53.4262°N -7.9429°W
Athlone Franciscan Friary *Franciscan Friars
founded c.1723;
extant
[2]

53.4229°N -7.9379°W
Athlone FriaryFranciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded c.1239 by Charles de Burgo or the Dillon family (possibly Sir Henry Dillon) or the Digby family (earlier attribution of founding 1224 by Cathal Crovderg O'Conor dubious);
church consecrated 1241;
dissolved 1567-8: destroyed; friars probably remained in the community in the town;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed 1587;
moved to place of refuge at Killinure, infra;
new house built nearby (see immediately below)
Athluain;
Baile-ath-luain;
Blahluin;
Haulon
[3]
Athlone GreyfriarsObservant Franciscan Friars
founded 1626
[4]

53.4228°N -7.9383°W
Athlone Monasteryearly monastic site according to tradition (historically County Roscommon)Athluain;
Baile-ath-luain;
Blahluin;
Haulon;
Cloonowen? County Roscommon
Athlone Austin FriaryAugustinian Friars[5]
founded on the Roscommon side of Athlone
Athluain;
Baile-ath-luain;
Blahluin;
Haulon
Athlone ConventPoor Clares nuns
founded between c.1725 and c.1750
Athluain;
Baile-ath-luain;
Blahluin;
Haulon
Athnecarne Friary Dominican Friarsconfusion of Ardnacrany Carmelites, supraArdnacrany
Ballyboggan PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular
dissolved; granted to Sir William Bermingham 1541
The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Ballyboggan
____________________
De Laude Dei
[6]

53.4098°N -7.0438°W
Ballymore PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1250?;
possibly connected to Tristernagh, and possible chaplains to Cistercian nuns (see immediately below);
dissolved 1540, church ruinous;
leased to Francis Shaen 1593
Baile-mor-locha-semhdidhe;
Loch-seudi;
Loch-sydy;
Lox;
Plare;
Plary Abbey
53.4894°N -7.6687°W
Ballymore PrioryCistercian nuns
founded 1218 by a de Lacy;
suggested, probably erroneously, by the presence of the Canons' priory in the vicinity (see immediately above) to have been a Gilbertine double monastery;
dissolved 1470;
Augustinian Canons — from Ballymore (see immediately above);
passed to the canons 1475, who possibly transferred here
St Mary
____________________
Loughsewdy;
Loch-seudi;
Loch-sydy;
Lox;
Plare
Ballymore Abbey early monastic site, purportedly founded c.700[7] Baile-mor-locha-semhdidhe;
Loch-seudi;
Loch-sydy;
Lox;
Plare
Ballymore Cistercian Priory erroneous record of Cistercian monksactually the canons' priory, supraBaile-mor-locha-semhdidhe;
Loch-seudi;
Loch-sydy;
Lox;
Plare
Bethlehem ConventPoor Clares nuns
founded between c.1725 and c.1750
Bethlem
Butvather Friary Franciscan Friars, First Order
probably Athlone Conventual Franciscan Friary
Bukrather-Brawny;
Butvather, in Brawny
Castletown Abbey ø"Abbey",[8] non-monastic ruinsBaile-chaislean53.4448°N -7.4862°W
Church Island Monastery, early monastic site, reputedly founded by St LommanInis-mor53.5683°N -7.3716°W
Clonfad Monasteryearly monastic site, possibly founded 6th century by St Colmcille;
in existence 779
Cluain-fodae;
Cluain-fota-baitan;
Cluain-fota-baedan-aba;
Cluain-fota-bile;
Ecra Tulach
53.4558°N -7.1778°W
Clonfad Monasteryearly monastic site, presumably founded 6th century by St Finnian of Clonard;
church burned 887
Cluain-fodae;
Cluain-fota-libren;
Cluain-fota-fine
53.4137°N -7.3913°W
Cluain-moescnae Monastery ~early monastic site Cluain-maosena;
Cluain-mhaoscna;
Cluain-mecsua
Collinstown PrioryAugustinian nunsArroasian
dependent on Clonard
founded after 1144, church confirmed to the nuns of Clonard;
dissolved after 1195;
transferred with Clonard to Odder c.1383-4
St Mary
____________________
Kellarthalgach;
Fore St Mary;
Fawor
53.6494°N -7.2172°W
Conry Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 7th century?Combraire53.4868°N -7.5276°W
Druim-corcortri Monastery ~early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick for Diarmait — possibly located in County WestmeathDruim-corcthri;
Druim-corkaree;
Druim-corcortri, in Meath
Drumraney Monasteryearly monastic site, hermitage founded before 588;
in existence 995
Druim-raite;
Drumrath
53.4783°N -7.7454°W (approx)
Dysart Tolaearly monastic site, founded before 738 by St Tola;
burned by Domhnall mac Murchadh 790
Disert-tuala;
Disert-tola
53.5933°N -7.1461°W (approx)
Faughalstown Monasteryearly monastic site, patronised by St Diarmaid 6th centuryCaille-fohlada;
Fochlaidh;
Faughly
53.6444°N -7.3319°W
Fooran PrioryFranciscan? nuns, possibly Second Order, Poor Clare nuns
founded before 1385?;
dissolved before 1603 (during the reign of Queen Elizabeth?;
ruinous by 1605
Farren;
Farren Macheigkese
53.4268°N -7.7737°W (?)
Fooran FriaryFranciscan Friars, probably Third Order Regular
ruinous by 1605
Fuaran;
Farrenemannagh
Fore Anchorite's CellAnchorites
dissolved 1616 on the death of the last hermit
53.6813°N -7.2297°W
Fore Prioryearly monastic site, founded c. 630 by St Feichin;
probably dissolved c.1180, when succeeded by the Benedictine establishment, (see immediately below);
recorded 13th century coarbs possibly titular;
suggested Augustinian Canons Regular c.12th century — evidence lacking
Fobhar;
Fobar-fechin;
Ballyleabhair;
Foure
Fore PrioryBenedictine monks
alien priory: dependent on Evreux;
founded before 1185, churches and other endowments granted to Evereux by Hugh de Lacy;
buildings incorporated into the town's fortifications 1428;
became denizen: independent from 1449;
dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior William Nugent, 27 November 1539; granted to Matthew King 1540; (NM)
SS Taurin and Fechin[9]

53.6839°N -7.2272°W
Fore HospitallersKnights Hospitaller
frankhouse recorded 1541
Foyran Monasteryearly monastic site, patronised and probably founded by St Edan53.7475°N -7.2962°W
Friarstown FriaryDominican Friars
founded c.1691;
dissolved 1733
Killenough;[10]
Killendough;
Killenough;
— in Clonfad parish

Hare Island Prioryearly monastic site, founded before 542 by St Ciaran of Clonmacnois;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded after 1140?;
cell dependent on Saints' Island? from before 1259?;
dissolved before 1500?, probably abandoned some time before the general suppression
Inis Ainghin;
Inish Inneen;
Oilean Aingin;
Saints Island, Lough Ree
53.4712°N -7.9303°W
Inchbofinearly monastic site, founded mid-5th century by St Rioch;
burned and plundered by the Norsemen on several occasions;
church plundered by the Munstermen 1089;
suggested Augustinian Canons Regular during the reign of Henry VIII — documentary evidence lacking
Inis-bofin;
Inis-boffin, Lough Ree
[11] [12]

53.5417°N -7.9172°W
Inchmore Prioryearly monastic site, founded 5th century? by Liberius (Lioban), son of Losenus;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before c.1170?;
cell? dependent on Saints' Island after 1200;
dissolved before 1500?, possibly abandoned some time before the general suppression;
granted to Sir Richard Barnwell
Inismor-Loch-Ribh;
Inismor-Lough Ree
[13]

53.5115°N -7.9395°W
Kilbeggan Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 6th/7th century by St Beccan (Becan, son of Murchade?);
Cistercian monks — from Mellifont
founded 1150, possibly by the MacCoughlan family;
subject to Buildwas 1228;
dissolved before 1549; part granted to Robert Dillon 1560;
granted to William Browne 1595
Cell-becain;
Kilbecain;
de Benedicto Dei;
'The Church of the Relic', Kilbeggan
53.3604°N -7.4977°W (approx)
Kilbixy Monasteryearly monastic site, monks[14] and nuns
founded by St Bicsech the Virgin?
Cell-bicsige53.6028°N -7.5155°W
Kilcumreragh Monasteryearly monastic site, reputedly founded by St Fiachra;
sometimes confused with Conry, supra
Cell-cruimthir53.4108°N -7.6925°W
Kilkenny West Priory Hospitalearly monastic site, founded c.mid-6th century by St Canice
Crutched Friars
founded after 1200 by the Tyrrell family or by Fr Thomas Dillon, priest, buried here;
listed 15th century as Hospitallers
dissolved before 1541?; granted to Robert Dillon 1569
St John
____________________
Cell-cainnig;
Kil-caynne;
Kil-kencayd;
Kil-kay;
Kil-kykenne
53.4895°N -7.8153°W
Killalea Monastery ~early monastic site, sometimes mistaken for Killulagh, supra
Killare Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by St Aedh mac Bricc;
site now occupied by remains of old parish church
Cell-air;
Kill-aria
53.4831°N -7.5794°W
Killinure Friary ~Observant Franciscan Friars — from Athlone
place of refuge
Killucan Monasteryearly monastic site, founded by St Luican (Lucain)Cell-lucain;
Killuken
53.5137°N -7.1441°W
Killulagh Monasteryearly monastic site, patronised 5th century (during the time of St Patrick) by St Lonan;
also given as County Offaly, and mistaken for Killalea
Cell-oilach;
Cell-uaillech;
Kilhuailleach, County Offaly
53.5896°N -7.1509°W
Kiltoom Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 5th centuryCell-toma;
Kill-toma
53.669°N -7.3575°W (approx)
Kinard Nunnerymonks, according to local tradition — order and foundation unknown;
land granted to Augustinian Canons Regular of Tristernagh 1293;
Franciscan Sisters, Third Order
founded before 1650
Ceannard;
Chinn-Aird;
Kenard;
Kinnard;
Mainister Chinn Aird
[15]

53.7197°N -7.456°W
Lackan Monasteryearly monastic site, founded 5th century? possibly by St Patrick?;
possibly in existence 946;
remains extant 1837
Leachan;
Lecan-midi;
Leckin
53.6376°N -7.4264°W
Lough Ennell Monasterydetails to be established
Lynn Monasteryearly monastic site;
some confusion with Linnleire (Lann-Leire), i.e. Dunleer, supra;
site currently occupied by Lynn House
Lann-mic-luachain53.4957°N -7.3641°W
Mullingar Austin FriarsAugustinian Friars;
site marked by modern statue[16]
53.5261°N -7.3371°W
Mullingar PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1227 by Ralph Petit, Bishop of Meath;
destroyed by the people of Managh 1464;
leased out by Prior John Petyt 1534-8;
dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior John Petyt 28 November 1539;
possibly Augustinian Friars
founded before 1643?
St Mary
____________________
Domus Dei de Mollingare;
Muilenn-cerr;
Muileann-chear;
Molingar;
Molyngerre
[17]

53.5248°N -7.3394°W
Mullingar FriaryDominican Friars
founded 1237 or Mary 1238 by the Nugent family or the Pettit family;
granted to Sir Gerald FitzGerald of Crowboy for 21 years, 24 April 1540;
declared dissolved 10 October 1540 by the withdrawal of the prior and convent;
granted to Thomas Gorie 1564;
granted to Walter Hope 1565-6;
granted to James Hope 1610
St Mary of the Assumption;
The Holy Trinity;
St Saviour
[18] [19]

53.5239°N -7.3432°W
Mullingar BlackfriarsDominican Friars
founded soon after 1622
Mullingar GreyfriarsFranciscan Friars — from Multyfarnham
attempted foundation 1622
Mullingar GreyfriarsCapuchin Franciscan Friars
founded c.1642?
Mullingar HospitallersKnights Hospitaller
"... a house [of Hospitallers?]";[20] ([21] ) probably a frankhouse
Molyngare
Multyfarnham Friary *Franciscan Friars, Conventual
founded 1236 (before 1268?) (during the reign of Henry III) by William Delmar; also given as 1270 or 1276 by L William Herebeard FitzHerbert (Delamare) and 1306[22]
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed 1460;
dissolved 1540, abandoned by the friars 7 October 1540; granted to Edmund Field, Patrick Clynch and Philip Penteney sometime between 1540 and 1546 (renewed 1546) friars permitted to remain in occupation;
recommended for restoration 1540 (during the reign of Queen Mary);
in use as a place of refuge; burned twice and raided several times between 1590 and 1617;
reoccupied 1827
Mbuailtibh Farannain;
Molinfarnam;
Montisfernandi;
Multifernam
[23]

53.6287°N -7.391°W
Multyfarnham Blackfriars, earlier site?Dominican Friars
suggested to have been here prior to moving to Mullingar — evidence lacking
Pass of Kilbride Abbey"Abbey ruins"[24] Bealach-Chilli-Brighde53.4459°N -7.2268°W
Rahugh Monasteryearly monastic site
founded before 589 by St Aedh mac Bricc, bishop;
in existence 859
Rath-aeda-mic-bric;
Raith-aida;
Rathugh
53.3364°N -7.4377°W
Rathaspick Monastery ~early monastic site, purportedly founded before 589 by Aedh mac Bricc — evidence lacking;
in existence 898
Russagh Monastery ø≈possible early monastic site — probably Russagh, County LaoisRos-ach;
Ros each
Taughmon Monasteryearly monastic site, founded before 635-6 by St Fintan MunnaTech-munna;
Taghmon
53.5998°N -7.2494°W
Teaghbaithen Monastery ø≈~early monastic site — possibly Tibhoin, County RoscommonTaghboyne
Teernacreeve Monasteryearly monastic site, possibly founded 6th century by St Colmcille for St Lugaid, his discipleSt Lugaid?
____________________
Tir-da-chroeb;
Tir-da-craeb
Temple Macateerearly monastic site, possibly founded by St Ciaran mac an tsaoirTempall-maic-in-tsaeir[25]

53.4059°N -7.6032°W
Templenesagart Friary friars, apparently Franciscan Friars, probably Third Order RegularTemplenesgarth;
possibly Kinard
Tobercormick Priory?Augustinian Canons Regular[26]
possible canons' house probably extinct long before 1488Dominican 200
Tobar-Cormac;
Fons Cormaci;
Well of Cormac by Toberville
53.5107°N -7.5932°W (approx)
Tobercormick Friary #Dominican Friars
founded c.1488, license granted by Innocent III, at the petition of Edmund de Lantu, to build a friary 1488;
dissolved before 1589, when in ownership of Francis Shane, gent.;
granted to H. Matthews, termor; assigned to Sir Francis Shane;
no monastic remains apparent
Tristernagh PrioryAugustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1200 by Geoffrey de Constentin (Galfred de Constantine);
dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior commendator Edmund Nugent, Bishop of Kilmore; granted to Robert Delman 10 December 1539
later in religious use;
destroyed 1783
St Mary
____________________
Dristernach;
Dryssternac;
apud Kilbixy
53.5989°N -7.4794°W
Tuaim-inbhir Monastery ~≈early monastic site, founded before 916, possibly located in County Westmeath or County TipperaryDruim-inbir (Dromineer, County Tipperary)
Turbotstown Monastery ~early monastic site, founded before 809, possibly by St FechinTibraid;
Tibrada;
Tippert?
Tyfarnham Monastery ~early monastic site, founded before 880Tech-erennain;
Tech-airindan;
Tech-farannain;
Tech-ernain;
Tech-ultan;
Teach Faramain
53.5816°N -7.3409°W (approx)
Usnagh Monastery ~early monastic site, a cloister founded 5th century by St Patrick; demolished when he was driven awayUisnach

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Athlone- details of, 1430 - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources. tth2.co.uk.
  2. Web site: Athlone. franciscans.ie. 2014-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20141210152244/http://www.franciscans.ie/friaries/our-friaries/25-athlone. 2014-12-10. dead.
  3. Web site: Site details: Athlone - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources. tth2.co.uk.
  4. Web site: Athlone. franciscans.ie. 2014-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20141210152244/http://www.franciscans.ie/friaries/our-friaries/25-athlone. 2014-12-10. dead.
  5. Lubin: Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticon Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, pp.310,312,331
  6. Web site: Ballyboggan Priory. bravehost.com.
  7. A. Cogan, The Diocese of Meath, 1862-70, ii, p.552
  8. Ordnance Survey
  9. Web site: Fore Abbey and Church. megalithicireland.com.
  10. Rev. Dr. W. Moran, Riocht na Midhe, ii, No.3 (1961), pp.9-15
  11. Web site: Inishbofin Early Christian Monastery - Westmeath -. Michael Heraghty. Choose Ireland.
  12. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 2014-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,605521,754632,7,9. 2012-08-29. dead.
  13. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 2014-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,604012,751280,7,9. 2012-08-29. dead.
  14. Healy, History of the Diocese of Meath, 1, 48
  15. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 2014-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,635908,774586,7,9. 2012-08-29. dead.
  16. Web site: The Pilgrims, Pearse Street, MacCurtain St/ Austin Friars St., MULLINGAR, Mullingar, WESTMEATH . National Inventory of Architectural Heritage . 4 March 2021 .
  17. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 2014-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,643801,752966,7,9. 2012-08-29. dead.
  18. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 2014-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,643563,752873,7,9. 2012-08-29. dead.
  19. Web site: Site details: Mullingar Friary - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources. tth2.co.uk.
  20. Extents of Irish Monastic Possessions 1540-1, edited Newport D. White (Irish Manuscripts Commission), 1943, p.115
  21. Web site: 3D Issue Digital Edition – powered by www.3dissue.com. Copyright 2008, All rights reserved.. irishmanuscripts.ie.
  22. A. Cogan, The Diocese of Meath, 1862-70, iii, p.591
  23. Web site: Multyfarnham. franciscans.ie. 2014-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20141211055618/http://www.franciscans.ie/friaries/our-friaries/45-multyfarnham. 2014-12-11. dead.
  24. Ordnance Survey and Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901
  25. Web site: Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer. osi.ie. 2014-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,626385,739602,7,7. 2012-08-29. dead.
  26. Harris's Table, Ware-Harris, Antiquities, p.264