List of monastic houses in County Westmeath
The smaller establishments such as monastic cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks) and camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers) are included. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, or preceptory/commandery.
Layout
Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.
Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.
Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.
Abbreviations and Key
* | current monastic function |
---|---|
+ | current non-monastic ecclesiastic function |
^ | current non-ecclesiastic function |
= | remains incorporated into later structure |
# | no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains |
~ | exact site of monastic foundation unknown |
ø | possibly no such monastic foundation at location |
¤ | no such monastic foundation |
≈ | identification ambiguous or confused |
Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).
NIEA | Scheduled Monument (NI) |
NM | National Monument (ROI) |
C.I. | Church of Ireland |
R.C. | Roman Catholic Church |
Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names |
OnLine References & Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ardcharn Monastery ≈ | early monastic site — actually located in County Roscommon | Ardcharn in Westmeath | ||
Ardnacrany Friary | Carmelite 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°31′28″N 7°46′43″W | |
Athlone Priory | Cluniac 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°25′34″N 7°56′34″W | |
Athlone Franciscan Friary * | Franciscan Friars founded c.1723; extant |
[2] 53°25′23″N 7°56′16″W | ||
Athlone Friary | ![]() |
Franciscan 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 Greyfriars | Observant Franciscan Friars founded 1626 |
[4] 53°25′22″N 7°56′18″W | ||
Athlone Monastery | early monastic site according to tradition (historically County Roscommon) | Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon; Cloonowen? County Roscommon |
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Athlone Austin Friary | Augustinian Friars[notes 1] founded on the Roscommon side of Athlone |
Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon |
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Athlone Convent | Poor Clares nuns founded between c.1725 and c.1750 |
Athluain; Baile-ath-luain; Blahluin; Haulon |
||
Athnecarne Friary ≈ | Dominican Friars — confusion of Ardnacrany Carmelites, supra | Ardnacrany | ||
Ballyboggan Priory | ![]() |
Augustinian Canons Regular dissolved; granted to Sir William Bermingham 1541 |
The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Ballyboggan ____________________ De Laude Dei |
[5] 53°24′35″N 7°02′38″W |
Ballymore Priory | Augustinian 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°29′22″N 7°40′07″W | |
Ballymore Priory | Cistercian 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 |
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Ballymore Abbey | early monastic site, purportedly founded c.700[notes 2] | Baile-mor-locha-semhdidhe; Loch-seudi; Loch-sydy; Lox; Plare |
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Ballymore Cistercian Priory ≈ | erroneous record of Cistercian monks — actually the canons' priory, supra | Baile-mor-locha-semhdidhe; Loch-seudi; Loch-sydy; Lox; Plare |
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Bethlehem Convent | Poor 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 |
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Castletown Abbey ø | "Abbey",[notes 3] non-monastic ruins | Baile-chaislean | 53°26′41″N 7°29′10″W | |
Church Island Monastery, Lough Owel | early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Lomman | Inis-mor | 53°34′06″N 7°22′18″W | |
Clonfad Monastery | early 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°27′21″N 7°10′40″W | |
Clonfad Monastery | early monastic site, presumably founded 6th century by St Finnian of Clonard; church burned 887 |
Cluain-fodae; Cluain-fota-libren; Cluain-fota-fine |
53°24′49″N 7°23′29″W | |
Cluain-moescnae Monastery ~ | early monastic site | Cluain-maosena; Cluain-mhaoscna; Cluain-mecsua |
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Collinstown Priory | Augustinian nuns — Arroasian 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°38′58″N 7°13′02″W | |
Conry Monastery | early monastic site, founded 7th century? | Combraire | 53°29′13″N 7°31′39″W | |
Druim-corcortri Monastery ~ | early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick for Diarmait — possibly located in County Westmeath | Druim-corcthri; Druim-corkaree; Druim-corcortri, in Meath |
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Drumraney Monastery | early monastic site, hermitage founded before 588; in existence 995 |
Druim-raite; Drumrath |
53°28′42″N 7°44′43″W (approx) | |
Dysart Tola | early monastic site, founded before 738 by St Tola; burned by Domhnall mac Murchadh 790 |
Disert-tuala; Disert-tola |
53°35′36″N 7°08′46″W (approx) | |
Faughalstown Monastery | early monastic site, patronised by St Diarmaid 6th century | Caille-fohlada; Fochlaidh; Faughly |
53°38′40″N 7°19′55″W | |
Fooran Priory | Franciscan? 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°25′37″N 7°46′25″W (?) | |
Fooran Friary | Franciscan Friars, probably Third Order Regular ruinous by 1605 |
Fuaran; Farrenemannagh |
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Fore Anchorite's Cell | Anchorites dissolved 1616 on the death of the last hermit |
53°40′53″N 7°13′47″W | ||
Fore Priory | early 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 |
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Fore Priory | ![]() |
Benedictine 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 | [6] 53°41′02″N 7°13′38″W |
Fore Hospitallers | Knights Hospitaller frankhouse recorded 1541 |
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Foyran Monastery | early monastic site, patronised and probably founded by St Edan | 53°44′51″N 7°17′46″W | ||
Friarstown Friary | Dominican Friars founded c.1691; dissolved 1733 |
Killenough;[notes 4] Killendough; Killenough; — in Clonfad parish |
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Hare Island Priory | early 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°28′16″N 7°55′49″W | |
Inchbofin | early 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 |
[7][8] 53°32′30″N 7°55′02″W | |
Inchmore Priory | early 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 |
[9] 53°30′41″N 7°56′22″W | |
Kilbeggan Monastery | early monastic site, founded 6th/7th century by St Beccan (Becan, son of Murchade?); Cistercian monks — from Mellifont |
Cell-becain; Kilbecain; de Benedicto Dei; 'The Church of the Relic', Kilbeggan |
53°21′38″N 7°29′52″W (approx) | |
Kilbixy Monastery | early monastic site, monks[notes 5] and nuns founded by St Bicsech the Virgin? |
Cell-bicsige | 53°36′10″N 7°30′56″W | |
Kilcumreragh Monastery | early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Fiachra; sometimes confused with Conry, supra |
Cell-cruimthir | 53°24′39″N 7°41′33″W | |
Kilkenny West Priory Hospital | early 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°29′22″N 7°48′55″W | |
Killalea Monastery ~ | early monastic site, sometimes mistaken for Killulagh, supra | |||
Killare Monastery | early monastic site, founded by St Aedh mac Bricc; site now occupied by remains of old parish church |
Cell-air; Kill-aria |
53°28′59″N 7°34′46″W | |
Killinure Friary ~ | Observant Franciscan Friars — from Athlone place of refuge |
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Killucan Monastery | early monastic site, founded by St Luican (Lucain) | Cell-lucain; Killuken |
53°30′49″N 7°08′39″W | |
Killulagh Monastery | early 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°35′23″N 7°09′03″W | |
Kiltoom Monastery | early monastic site, founded 5th century | Cell-toma; Kill-toma |
53°40′08″N 7°21′27″W (approx) | |
Kinard Nunnery | monks, 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 |
[10] 53°43′11″N 7°27′21″W | |
Lackan Monastery | early monastic site, founded 5th century? possibly by St Patrick?; possibly in existence 946; remains extant 1837 |
Leachan; Lecan-midi; Leckin |
53°38′15″N 7°25′35″W | |
Lough Ennell Monastery | details to be established | |||
Lynn Monastery | early monastic site; some confusion with Linnleire (Lann-Leire), i.e. Dunleer, supra; site currently occupied by Lynn House |
Lann-mic-luachain | 53°29′45″N 7°21′51″W | |
Mullingar Austin Friars | Augustinian Friars; site marked by modern statue[11] |
53°31′34″N 7°20′13″W | ||
Mullingar Priory | Augustinian 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? |
Muilenn-cerr; Muileann-chear; Molingar; Molyngerre |
[12] 53°31′29″N 7°20′22″W | |
Mullingar Friary | Dominican 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 |
[13][14] 53°31′26″N 7°20′35″W | |
Mullingar Blackfriars | Dominican Friars founded soon after 1622 |
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Mullingar Greyfriars | Franciscan Friars — from Multyfarnham attempted foundation 1622 |
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Mullingar Greyfriars | Capuchin Franciscan Friars founded c.1642? |
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Mullingar Hospitallers | Knights Hospitaller "... a house [of Hospitallers?]";[notes 6] ([notes 7]) 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[notes 8] 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 |
[15] 53°37′43″N 7°23′28″W |
Multyfarnham Blackfriars, earlier site? | Dominican Friars suggested to have been here prior to moving to Mullingar — evidence lacking |
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Pass of Kilbride Abbey | "Abbey ruins"[notes 9] | Bealach-Chilli-Brighde | 53°26′45″N 7°13′37″W | |
Rahugh Monastery | early monastic site founded before 589 by St Aedh mac Bricc, bishop; in existence 859 |
Rath-aeda-mic-bric; Raith-aida; Rathugh |
53°20′11″N 7°26′16″W | |
Rathaspick Monastery ~ | early monastic site, purportedly founded before 589 by Aedh mac Bricc — evidence lacking; in existence 898 |
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Russagh Monastery ø≈ | possible early monastic site — probably Russagh, County Laois | Ros-ach; Ros each |
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Taughmon Monastery | early monastic site, founded before 635-6 by St Fintan Munna | Tech-munna; Taghmon |
53°35′59″N 7°14′58″W | |
Teaghbaithen Monastery ø≈~ | early monastic site — possibly Tibhoin, County Roscommon | Taghboyne | ||
Teernacreeve Monastery | early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century by St Colmcille for St Lugaid, his disciple | St Lugaid? ____________________ Tir-da-chroeb; Tir-da-craeb |
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Temple Macateer | early monastic site, possibly founded by St Ciaran mac an tsaoir | Tempall-maic-in-tsaeir | [16] 53°24′21″N 7°36′12″W | |
Templenesagart Friary ≈ | friars, apparently Franciscan Friars, probably Third Order Regular | Templenesgarth; possibly Kinard |
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Tobercormick Priory? | Augustinian Canons Regular[notes 10] possible canons' house probably extinct long before 1488 Dominican 200 |
Tobar-Cormac; Fons Cormaci; Well of Cormac by Toberville |
53°30′39″N 7°35′35″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 |
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Tristernagh Priory | ![]() |
Augustinian 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°35′56″N 7°28′46″W |
Tuaim-inbhir Monastery ~≈ | early monastic site, founded before 916, possibly located in County Westmeath or County Tipperary | Druim-inbir (Dromineer, County Tipperary) | ||
Turbotstown Monastery ~ | early monastic site, founded before 809, possibly by St Fechin | Tibraid; Tibrada; Tippert? |
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Tyfarnham Monastery ~ | early monastic site, founded before 880 | Tech-erennain; Tech-airindan; Tech-farannain; Tech-ernain; Tech-ultan; Teach Faramain |
53°34′54″N 7°20′27″W (approx) | |
Usnagh Monastery ~ | early monastic site, a cloister founded 5th century by St Patrick; demolished when he was driven away | Uisnach |
Map link to lists of monastic houses in Ireland by county
![]() Click on a county to go to the corresponding article |
Notes
- Lubin: Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticon Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, pp.310,312,331
- A. Cogan, The Diocese of Meath, 1862-70, ii, p.552
- Ordnance Survey
- Rev. Dr. W. Moran, Riocht na Midhe, ii, No.3 (1961), pp.9-15
- Healy, History of the Diocese of Meath, 1, 48
- Extents of Irish Monastic Possessions 1540-1, edited Newport D. White (Irish Manuscripts Commission), 1943, p.115
- "3D Issue Digital Edition – powered by www.3dissue.com. Copyright 2008, All rights reserved". irishmanuscripts.ie.
- A. Cogan, The Diocese of Meath, 1862-70, iii, p.591
- Ordnance Survey and Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901
- Harris's Table, Ware-Harris, Antiquities, p.264
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