The 'Old Abbey' of Clontuskert

In the parish of Clontuskert, near the road to Lawrencetown, stands a ruin populaly called 'The Old Abbey'. Its proper title is The Augustinian Priory of St. Mary.

A sketch of 'The Old Abbey'

The Priory was founded in the 8th century by St. Baedan, its first abbot who died in 805. It is situated in the territory of the O'Kellys and through their patronage, it became very wealthy. It was the place of inauguration of the chiefs of Hymany. As with many of the monasteries of that time, decadence set in and it appears that the priory fell into lay control and was owned by the family of Mithighen.

Showing the layout of the monastery

During the reform of St. Malachy in the 12th century, the monks at Clontuskert adopted the rule of St. Augustine. The Annals of the Four Masters tell us that in 1219 Melaghin, the son of Moinmoy O' Connor was slain there by McManus, the son of Turlough O'Connor. During the 13th century the monastery was very wealthy and in the Taxation List of 1291 the value of the rectory was given as £9 which was second highest in the diocese of Clonfert. It also had control of the restories and vicarages of the surronding parishes.

During the 14th century the monastery fell into disrepair and a papal indulgence was given to all those who visited and helped repair the church. A ten year indulgence was again granted after the monastery was destroyed by lightning in 1404. It was during this reconstruction that all the outstanding architectural features to be seen today were erected.

The 15th century saw the monastery increase in wealth again and the O'Kelly clan took over the office of Prior once more, which led to abuse. In 1444 Eoghan O' Kelly the prior of Clontuskert, was slain in a battle fought with the McCoughlans. During the following years there were several letters of complaint to Rome accusing the priors of immorality, perjury, simony and homicide. After the Reformation the monks surrendered their ecclesiastical titles to Henry VIII of England

In 150, the priory was granted to the Earl of Clanrickard by Queen Elizabeth. The Clanrickard's being Catholics, it is believed that though the monks lost all their property, they were allowed to look after the parished entruster to their care. There is evidence that they were still in residence in 1633. However, after the Battle of Aughrim and the confiscation of Clanrickard's lands the monks could no longer live openly in the monastery and the last mention of them was made in 1731 by Stafford Eyre who refers to 'friars' at Attycoffey near Clontuskert.

In 1716 the Clanrickard lands at Clontuskert were leased to the Protestant bishops of Clonfert and there is evidence that some of the buildings were used as stables or out-houses.

Detail of restored cloister arcade at Clontuskert Abbey

In 1958, Galway County Council carried out some minor repairs. Nevertheless by 1970, when the Commisioners of Public Works took over, the remains were in an advanced state of ruin. Excavations, under the direction of Mr. Thomas Fanning, began in June 1971 and continued for four months. All the items found were deposited in the National Museum.

The Old Abbey, still standing on the Banks of the Ballinure River, is a proud reminder of the dim and distant past when the name of Clontuskert O'Many was known from the West of the Shannon to the Adriatic sea.

Allan Pollock

"The Great Shame"

History of
Sport

Clontuskert
Around 1837

Gortnamona House

Battle of Aughrim

The Old Abbey of
Clontuskert

The Somerset
Horde

The Old School