monastic sites ireland

A monastery was founded here in the 6th century and at the synod of Rathbreasail in 1111. Ardcarn was chosen as one of the five dioceses of Connacht. At the synod of Kells in 1152, it was amalgamated with Elphin, Roscommon and Drumcliff to form the present diocese of Elphin.
From 1144 there was a convent of Arrosian nuns at Ardcarn. It was the leading sheep and wool market in Connacht.
Arthur Young described the plains of Boyle as the biggest sheep walk he had ever seen....

Ardmore is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland. St. Declan lived in the period 350 -450 AD and christianised this area before the coming of St. Patrick. St. Declan's feast day is "Pattern Day" every 24th of July....

Two very early, possibly 8th century, High Crosses have elaborate and varied abstract patterns on the heads and shafts. the base of the larger north cross has Christ giving their mission to the Apostles, two processions and an uncertain animal scene. The south cross has the mission again, Daniel in the Lion's Den, Adam and Eve. A camera lens will note the detail far better than the eye in all but the most ideal slanted light. This is an important site in the development of Irish art. H...

The lake itself is a shallow lagoon separated from the open sea by a shingle bank. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is the site of a well known pilgrimage held annually in August. It was the site of an ancient monastery dedicated to Our Lady. The ruins of the Augustinian Priory are still to be seen, as is the Norman tower which leans at a greater angle than the tower at Pisa. The pilgrimage season starts of the 15th August and continues until the 8th September....

Nendrum owes its origin to St Mochaoi who died before 500, and who is said to have been converted to Christianity by St. Patrick. It may not have developed into a monastery until the 7th century, when its island location made it easily accessible by sea, though this later proved a disadvantage when it probably fell a prey to the Vikings.
The location of the ancient monastery was rediscovered by Bishop Reeves in 1844, and Lawlor's extensive, if inadequately recorded, archaeological ex...

Famous for its perfect 12th-century round tower and ruined Augustinian abbey. Intricately carved 15th-century high cross in graveyard. Small museum. Ferry with a capacity of 12 is licensed for 199 departs Trory Point, 5 km from Enniskillen on A32 direction towards Irvinestown. Contact Mr William McFrederick, Historic Monuments Branch, Enniskillen....

St Declan founded Ireland's earliest Christian settlement in Ardmore in 416 A.D. before the arrival of St Patrick. The 12th Century Round Tower, is 29m high and is the best example of an Irish Round Tower. The carvings on the West Gable of the Cathedral are special to Ardmore and depict Biblical scenes, as well as scenes from the early Christianisation of Ardmore. Nearby are St Declan's Grave (Beannachan). Ogham Stones, St. Declan's Stone and St. Declan's Well (Hermitage). The Round Tower...

Dysert O'Dea is renowned for its wealth of historical and archelogical remains....

Killinaboy is an early monastic site named after St. Inghean Bhaoth. It has the remains of a church of the 11th or 12th century, over the south door, a Sheila-na-gig, female figure with no ascertainable ecclesiastical significance. On the outside of the west gable is the design of a two bar cross in the masonry. There is also the base of a round tower.

A short distance away on the bank of the River Fergus is an ivy-clad turret and bawn, known as De Clare's House.

About 1.5 k...

Some 3 km further on, left, are the striking remains of this former episcopal centre. St. Colman, the MacDuagh referred to, founded the monastery in the 6th century. He was a kinsman of King Guarie of Gort, who donated the site. The monastic remains comprise the Church of Ireland cathedral, part of which dates from the 10th century; a fine example of round tower structure which has a notable lean from the perpendicular; John the Baptist's church, north-northeast of the Cathedral, now in ruins...