Creevelea Abbey

Creevelea Abbey is a medieval Franciscan friary and National Monument located in County Leitrim, Ireland.[2]

Creevelea Abbey
Mainistir na Craoibhe Léithe
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other namesCreevlea Abbey, Creebelea Abbey, Craobhliath, Crowlekale, Crueleach, Carrag Patrice, Petra Patricii, Druim-da-ethair, Baile-ui-ruairc, Ballegruaircy, Cuivelleagh, Killanummery.[1]
OrderThird Order of Saint Francis (Order of Penance)
Established1508
Disestablished1837
DioceseKilmore
People
Founder(s)Eóghan Ó Ruairc
Architecture
StatusInactive
Site
LocationCreevelea, Dromahair, County Leitrim
Coordinates54.231291°N 8.309791°W / 54.231291; -8.309791
Visible remainschurch, chapter house, cloister, kitchen
Public accessyes
National Monument of Ireland
Reference no.69

Location

Creevelea Abbey is located west of Dromahair, on the west bank of the Bonet River.[3][4]

History

Creevelea Friary was founded in 1508 by Eóghan O'Rourke, Lord of West Bréifne, and his wife Margaret O'Brian, daughter of a King of Thomond. The friary was accidentally burned in 1536 and was rebuilt by Brian Ballach O'Rourke. In 1590 Richard Bingham stabled his horses at Creevelea during his pursuit of Brian O'Rourke, who had sheltered survivors of the Spanish Armada. Dissolved c. 1598.

Sir Tadhg O'Rourke (d. 1605), last King of West Bréifne and Thaddeus Francis O'Rourke (d. 1735), Bishop of Killala are buried here. Another house was built for the friars in 1618 and Creevelea was reoccupied by friars in 1642. The Franciscans were driven out by the Cromwellian Army in the 1650s.[5][6] After the Restoration, the abbey remained in use until 1837.

Buildings

The remains consist of the church (nave, chancel, transept and choir), chapter house, cloister and domestic buildings. The bell-tower was converted to living quarters in the 17th century. At one point in its history the church was covered with a thatched roof. Carved in the cloister is an image of Saint Francis of Assisi preaching to birds.[7][8]

Archaeological Preservation

The site is preserved as a national monument.[9]

  • Tower
  • Window with tracery
  • Cloister
  • Creevela Abbey 1791
  • Floorplan 1791

References and Notes

Notes

    Citations
    1. Sunflower Guides 2004, pp. 10.
    2. TripAdvisor.
    3. Brewer 2008, pp. 365.
    4. Day 2006, pp. 334.
    5. megalithicireland.
    6. Higgins.
    7. The Sligo Town Website.
    8. Manorhamilton.ie 2012.
    9. National Monuments Service 2009, pp. 1.

    Primary sources
    • Sunflower Guides (1 March 2004). "Ireland". Hunter Publishing, Inc – via Google Books.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • TripAdvisor. "Creevelea Friary (Leitrim, Ireland): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor". TripAdvisor.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • Brewer, Stephen (29 September 2008). "Attraction on Lough Gill". John Wiley & Sons – via Google Books.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • Day, Catharina (1 January 2006). "The province of Connacht, Around Drumahair". New Holland Publishers. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2016 – via Google Books.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • megalithicireland. "Creevelea Abbey". megalithicireland.com.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • Higgins, Gerard. "Creevelea Abbey". sligotours.com.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • "Creevelea Abbey in Dromahair". The Sligo Town Website.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
    • Manorhamilton.ie (2012). "Creevelea Abbey". manorhamilton.ie. Retrieved 27 June 2012.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

    Secondary sources
    • National Monuments Service (2009). Leitrim (PDF) (Report). National Monuments in State Care: Ownership & Guardianship. Environment, Heritage and Local Government.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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