Clare Island Abbey

Clare Island Abbey
Mainistir Chliara
Abbey viewed from the northeast
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other names St. Brigid's Abbey, Mainister-ni-clarch; Cliara; Cleara; Clara; Insula Maris; Oilen-ui-maile
Order Cistercians
Established 12th century
Disestablished 17th century
Mother house Knockmoy Abbey
Diocese Tuam
Architecture
Status inactive
Style Cistercian
Site
Location Lecarrow, Clare Island, County Mayo
Coordinates 53°47′36″N 9°59′21″W / 53.793229°N 9.989088°W / 53.793229; -9.989088Coordinates: 53°47′36″N 9°59′21″W / 53.793229°N 9.989088°W / 53.793229; -9.989088
Public access yes
Official name Clare Island Abbey
Reference no. 97

Clare Island Abbey, officially St. Brigid's Abbey, is a former Cistercian monastery and National Monument located in Clare Island, Ireland.[1][2]

Location

Clare Island Abbey is located in the centre of the south part of Clare Island, near the post office.[3]

History

Saint Bridget`s Abbey was founded in the 12th/13th century and in 1224 became a cell of Knockmoy Abbey, a Cistercian abbey near Tuam.

It was rebuilt c. 1460. It contains numerous tombs of the local ruling family, the Ó Máille (O'Malley) and tradition claims it as the site of the baptism, marriages and burial of Gráinne "Grace" O'Malley (c. 1530 – c. 1603), the famous "pirate queen." She is believed to have been interred at the O'Malley tomb which has a canopy.

The abbey was probably dissolved during the late 16th century. Later it was a place of refuge for Carmelite Friars.

Building

The abbey is furnished with piscina, sedilia, carved heads and ogee and cusp-headed lancet windows.[4] [5]

Clare Island Abbey contains a series of medieval wall and ceiling paintings. They depict mythical, human and animal figures including dragons, a cockerel, stags, men on foot and on horseback, a harper, birds and trees. Such ornamentation is unusual for a Cistercian foundation.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Davenport, Fionn (1 January 2010). "Ireland". Lonely Planet – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ Manning, Conleth; Cárthaigh, Críostóir Mac; Whelan, Kevin; Gosling, Paul; Waddell, John (1 January 2005). "New Survey of Clare Island: The Abbey". Royal Irish Academy – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ Duffy, Seán (15 January 2005). "Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia". Routledge – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "History - Clare Island".
  5. ↑ "Heritage - Clare Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland".
  6. ↑ "Clare Island – The Abbey – 12th Century".
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