Carlingford Abbey

Carlingford Abbey, also called Carlingford Friary or Carlingford Priory, is a medieval Dominican abbey and National Monument located in Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland.[1][2][3]

Carlingford Abbey

Mainistir Chairlinn
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other names	Carlingford Friary/Priory
Order	Dominican Order (Order of Preachers)
Established	1305
Disestablished	1777
Diocese	Armagh
People
Founder(s)	Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster
Architecture
Status	Inactive
Style	Norman
Site
Location	Abbey Court, Carlingford, County Louth
Coordinates	54.038148°N 6.184459°W / 54.038148; -6.184459
Visible remains	nave, chancel, bell-tower, domestic buildings, mill
Public access	yes
National Monument of Ireland
Official name	Carlingford Abbey
Reference no.	623

Location

Carlingford Abbey is located in the centre of the town, just off Dundalk Street.[4][5]

History

1830 sketch of the abbey

This abbey was founded by the Dominican Order c. 1305 under the patronage of Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, and dedicated to Saint Malachy (1095–1148). Two towers were added to the northwest and southwest corners of the west gable in 1423, giving the church its fortified appearance. Rebuilding took place in the early 16th century. It remained in use until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The buildings were then used for a hall, a barracks and a handball alley.

In 1671, under King Charles II, the abbey was to reopen, but ownership was disputed with the Franciscan. Oliver Plunkett, then Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, returned the Abbey to the Dominicans. The Abbey relocated to Dundalk in 1777.[6][7]

Buildings

Remaining at Carlingford Abbey are the nave, chancel and central bell-tower, built of rough coursed limestone and greywacke. Slightly to the south are outbuildings and a mill house.

Defensive towers, crenellations and a machicolation were added in the 15th century.[8][9][10][11][12]

See also

• List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Louth)

References

1. "Holdings: Abbey, Carlingford, Co. Louth".
2. Playfair, James (1 January 1810). "A System of Geography: Ancient and Modern". P. Hill – via Google Books.
3. "Annual Report of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club". Phillips & Sons. 1 January 1863 – via Google Books.
4. "Holdings: Carlingford Abbey, Pl. 1, co. Louth. 2. Sept 1792".
5. "Dublin Penny Journal". J. S. Folds [1832-33]. 1 January 1834 – via Google Books.
6. "Carlingford Abbey Co Louth".
7. Conlan, Ciaran J. "History Page - St. Malachy's BNS website". Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
8. "Dominican Priory - Carlingford & Cooley Peninsula".
9. "Dominicans celebrate mass in Carlingford Abbey - Independent.ie".
10. "Carlingford Dominican Priory, Louth".
11. "14th C. Dominican Friary, Carlingford, Co. Louth - Architecture of Louth - Archiseek - Irish Architecture". 6 January 2010.
12. "Carlingford Dominican Priory".