Clare Island Abbey
Location
Clare Island Abbey is located in the centre of the south part of Clare Island, near the post office.
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.
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.
References
- ^ Davenport, Fionn (1 January 2010). Ireland. Lonely Planet. ISBN 9781742203508 – 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. ISBN 9781904890058 – via Google Books.
- ^ Duffy, Seán (15 January 2005). Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. ISBN 9781135948245 – via Google Books.
- ^ "History - Clare Island".
- ^ "Heritage - Clare Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland".
- ^ "Clare Island – The Abbey – 12th Century". Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
