abbeys clare

Standing on an earlier monastic site founded by St. Cronan (of Tuamgraney?), the Church was granted to the Augustinian Canons of Clareabbey by Donal Mor O'Brien in 1189. The church, with its unusual east window with foliage decoration on the outside, probably dates to this period. By 1302 it had become a parish church. In the 15th century conventual buildings (of which parts remain), a sacristy and south transept were added. it was granted to Donogh, Earl of Thomond, in 1620. It is idyllica...

Returning to Bealaclugga, take a left turn off the N67 for Carran. The next left turn leads to Corcomroe (signposted). This was a Cistercian foundation of the 12th century, established in 1180 by Donal Mor O'Brien. The first monks were drawn from Inishlounaght near Clonmel in Co. Tipperary, a Cistercian abbey dating from 1148. The remains include, beside the church, fragments of cloister, an infirmary-guesthouse and gatehouse. The church has an altar-tomb in the north wall of the chancel, s...

Donal Mor O'Brien founded a church on this island in the Shannon estuary for the Augustinian Canons some time towards the end of the 12th century. In the 15th century a tower was built to the south of the nave, and two chapels were added. Most of the domestic buildings are of the same period; they comprise a sacristy next to the church, a chapter room in the east side, and a kitchen, a pantry and refectory on the ground floor of the south wing. There were no buildings in the western portion....

Founded by the O'Brien family in 1250 for the Franciscan Order on a good site close to the River Fergus, this friary was restored about 1300 by Turlough Mor O'Brien, who added the strikingly tall east window with its five slender lights and pointed top. There is a good deal of interesting sculpture and a partly restored cloister. Its monuments are famous, notably the McMahon tomb (15 th Century) with its carvings of the Passion....

Founded by the MacNamaras in the middle of the 14th century using some of the curtain wall of the Anglo Norman castle built around 1280 by Richard de Clare. The cloisters were erected in 1402 and remain one of the features of the abbey. The Franciscan friars came later in the century. The view from the top of the tower is quite spectacular. A caretaker is on the grounds full time and should be contacted before entering....