Clare Island Abbey

Clare Island Abbey, officially St. Brigid's Abbey, is a former Cistercian monastery and National Monument located in Clare Island, Ireland.[1][2]

Clare Island Abbey
Mainistir Chliara
Abbey viewed from the northeast
Location within Ireland
Monastery information
Other namesSt. Brigid's Abbey, Mainister-ni-clarch; Cliara; Cleara; Clara; Insula Maris; Oilen-ui-maile
OrderCistercians
Established12th century
Disestablished17th century
Mother houseKnockmoy Abbey
DioceseTuam
Architecture
Statusinactive
StyleCistercian
Site
LocationLecarrow, Clare Island, County Mayo
Coordinates53.793229°N 9.989088°W / 53.793229; -9.989088
Public accessyes
National Monument of Ireland
Official nameClare Island Abbey
Reference no.97

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
  1. Davenport, Fionn (1 January 2010). "Ireland". Lonely Planet – via Google Books.
  2. 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.
  3. Duffy, Seán (15 January 2005). "Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia". Routledge – via Google Books.
  4. "History - Clare Island".
  5. "Heritage - Clare Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland".
  6. "Clare Island – The Abbey – 12th Century".
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