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Corcomroe Abbey

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Corcomroe Abbey as viewed from the southeast.
The tomb effigy of Conor na Siudane Ua Briain.

Corcomroe Abbey (Mainistir Chorco Modhruadh) is an early 13th-century Cistercian monastery located in the north of the Burren region of County Clare, Ireland, a few miles east of the village of Ballyvaughan. It was once known as "St. Mary of the Fertile Rock", a reference to the Burren's fertile soil.

The abbey is noted for its detailed carvings and other rich ornamentation, which are not commonly found in structures from this period. It features a typical cruciform church facing east, with a small chapel in each transept.[1]

History

The interior of Corcomroe Abbey, looking east through the nave and into the presbytery.

Construction on the abbey most likely began sometime between 1205 and 1210 and used local limestone.[1] Legend maintains that the building was commissioned by King Conor na Siudane Ua Briain, who died in 1267 and whose tomb niche and effigy are visible in the north wall of the choir. According to the legend, Ua Briain executed the five masons who completed the abbey to prevent them from constructing a rival masterpiece elsewhere.[2] In reality, it was probably built by Conor's grandfather, Donal Mór Ua Briain (Donald O'Brien), the patron of a number of other religious structures in the historic Thomond region.

The English Reformation led to the dissolution of Catholic monasteries in England and Ireland. In 1554, the abbey was granted to the Earl of Thomond. The monks continued to tend the fields and maintain the abbey as circumstances allowed, but the political climate led to continued decline. The last abbot, the Reverend John O'Dea, was named in 1628.

Notes

  1. ^ a b Nelson, E. Charles & Stalley, Roger A. (1989). "Medieval Naturalism and the Botanical Carvings at Corcomroe Abbey (County Clare)". Gesta. 28 (2): pp. 165-174. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Westropp, Thos. J. (1912). "A Folklore Survey of County Clare". Folklore. 23 (2): pp. 204-215. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help)

References

See also

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