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 |
| 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
- ^ Davenport, Fionn (1 January 2010). "Ireland". Lonely Planet – via Google Books.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Duffy, Seán (15 January 2005). "Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia". Routledge – via Google Books.
- ^ "History - Clare Island".
- ^ "Heritage - Clare Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland".
- ^ "Clare Island – The Abbey – 12th Century".