List of monastic houses in County Kildare

Inclusion

In this article, smaller establishments such as monastic cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks) and camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers) are included. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptory/commandery.

Article layout

Communities/provenance: shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.

Formal name or dedication: shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.

Alternative names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.

Abbreviations and Key

Alphabetical listing of establishments
Foundation Image Communities & Provenance Formal Name or Dedication
& Alternative Names 		OnLine References & Location
Athy Priory * Dominican Friars
founded 1253-7;
dissolved 30 April 1539; rented to Martin Pelles 26 April 1540;
refounded c.1622 by Fr Ross Mageoghegan;
chapel enlarged 1864-7;
dissolved mid-19th century;
new church built and opened 17 March 1965; extant;
old church demolished 1973		 St Peter, Martyr
St Dominic
____________________
Bailr-atha-ai;
Athai;
Athies 		[1]

52°59′26″N 6°59′00″W
Athy Priory Hospital Fratres Cruciferi
founded after 1199 (1253?) by Richard de St Michael, Lord of Rhebane (during the reign of King John);
dissolved 1540		 The Priory of Saint John;
The Priory of Saint John and Saint Thomas of Cruciferi
St Thomas the Martyr (from 13th century) 		[2]

52°59′33″N 6°59′13″W
Castledermot Friary Franciscan Friars
founded before 1247;
dissolved 1540		 Disert-diarmuta;
Tristle-dermot;
Desert 		52°54′37″N 6°50′06″W
Castledermot Monastery early monastic site, Gaelic monks
founded 842 by the son of Aed Roin, King of Corcu Bascind;
plundered by the Danes 842;
burned 1106;
probably continuing after 1111 		52°54′31″N 6°50′14″W
Castledermot Priory Knights Templar? (according to tradition)
Fratres Cruciferi
(re)founded before 1216 by Lord Walter de Ridlesford (during the reign of King John);
dissolved 1540
St John's Tower is the only surviving remnant		 Priory and Hospital of Saint John the Baptist 52°54′51″N 6°50′17″W
Celbridge Abbey * built 1697 by Bartholomew Van Homrigh, Lord Mayor of Dublin;
St John of God Hospitallers
operated as a care home		 [3]

53°20′12″N 6°32′33″W
Clane Friary Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded 1258 by Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald, Lord of Offaly, purportedly buried here 1287;
dissolved 1540; granted to a number of people 1541-2 for the use of Sir Thomas Luttrell;
friars remained until monastery destroyed c.1606;
restored 1647;
dissolved c.1650		 Cloenath;
Claenath;
Claenad;
Claona;
Cleonad;
Cloney;
Cluain 		[4]

53°17′21″N 6°40′59″W
Clane Monastery early monastic site, Gaelic monks
founded c.800 by St Ailbe;
probably continuing after 1111
Clonagh Monastery ø possible monastic site — order and period unknown
land obtained by priests 1396 without the King's consent, and concealed from the King		 53°23′58″N 6°54′33″W (approx)
Cloncurry Friary Carmelite Friars
founded 1347 by John Roch (Roche), license granted by Edward III;
dissolved 1539, church seized 30 April 1539; granted to William Dickson 1543; passed to Richard Slayne;
passed to the Foster family;
William Foster had purportedly been seized of the monastery by the time of his death 1602;
convent restored by c.1737		 Cluain-conaire;
Concurry 		53°14′18″N 6°57′12″W (possible)
Cloncurry Monastery early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Ninian (Mo-nenn)
Donaghmore Monastery Patrician monks/Columban monks
founded 6th century		 Domnach-mor-maige-laudat 53°22′37″N 6°33′11″W
Dunmanoge Monastery early monastic site, Gaelic monks
church founded by Finnian of Clonard, land granted by Carbreus, King of Leinster;
probably not continuing after 10th century		 Mugna-moschenog;
Mugna-helchan;
Mugna-selchain? 		52°53′43″N 6°55′04″W
Dunmurraghill Monastery early monastic site, Gaelic monks
church founded by St Patrick;
probably not continuing after 10th century		 Druim-urchaille;
Droma-urchaille 		53°20′36″N 6°45′49″W (?)
Graney Abbey Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
priory founded c.1200 by Walter de Riddlesford;
raised to abbey status before 1276;
dissolved 7 February 1539; granted to Leonard, Lord Grey;
granted to Anthony St Leger 1542		 St Mary
____________________
Graine;
Grane;
Greyn 		52°54′05″N 6°46′59″W
Grangerosnolvan Monastery nuns according to tradition;
Cistercian monks
grange of Baltinglass		 Grange Nolven
Great Connell Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
dependent on Llanthony;
founded 1202 by Meyler fitz Henry, Justiciar, buried here;
dissolved 1540, before 24 November; granted to Edward Randolfe;
granted to Sir Edward Butler;
granted to Sir Nicholas White 1560;
granted to Edmond Butler 1566		 St Mary and St David
____________________
Greatconnell;
Monaster-Conghbala;
Conal;
Connayl 		53°10′19″N 6°46′41″W
Inchaquire ?Friary Dominican Friars
license granted 1488;
possibly a vicarage of Athy between 1488 and 1627		 Intyma Kudir;
Inseueyr 		53°01′41″N 6°47′34″W (approx)
Kilberry 'Abbey' ø supposed monastic site - order and period unknown; "abbey",[notes 1] traditionally a nunnery;
possible Knights Hospitaller with sisters attached		 Cel-berra 53°02′04″N 7°01′33″W
Kilcock Monastery ø supposed nuns — order and period unknown Cell-cocha;
Cell-coice;
Cell-cork 		53°24′05″N 6°40′02″W?
Kilcork Camera Knights Templar
founded 13th century;
dissolved 1308;
manor exchanged with Thomas Fitz John, Earl of Kildare 1318, rectory retained for the Knights Hospitaller		 53°03′09″N 6°53′29″W(?)
Kilcullen Abbey Observant Franciscan Friars
founded 1486 (1470[notes 2]) by Roland FitzEustace, Baron of Portlester, buried here;
dissolved before 30 April 1539, appurtenances seized, occupied by Thomas (Eustace), Lord of Kilcullen;
expelled 1547; granted to Edmund Spenser 1582; 1640s		 New Abbey;
Cell-ciluinn;
Ouen 		53°07′40″N 6°44′07″W
Kildare Abbey early monastic site, nuns;
founded 5th century (c.430) by St Brigid;
monks and nuns
double monastery before 528;
plundered a number of times;
Augustinian nuns — Arroasian?
founded after 1171?;
episcopal diocesan cathedral built in the abbey grounds between 1223 and 1230, extant;
dissolved 1540-1; farmed by Francis Cosby and Raymond Oge (FizGerald) 1448;
granted to Anthony Deering 1585		 St Brigid [5]

53°09′29″N 6°54′44″W
Kildare — Grey Abbey Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded c.1254 by the ancestors of the Earls of Kildare or 1260 by Gerald Fitz Maurice, Lord Offaly or William de Vescy;
Observant Franciscan Friars
refounded 1520;
surrendered 30 April 1539; occupied by Philip FytzMores (Fitzmaurice);
granted to Daniel Sutton 1543;
destroyed 1547 and abandoned;
reestablished 1621
dissolved c.1770		 53°09′11″N 6°54′51″W
Kildare — White Abbey Carmelite Friars
founded 1290 by William de Vescy;
dissolved April 1539, surrendered by the prior;
granted to William Dickson;
new church built 1884		 St Mary [6]

53°09′34″N 6°55′00″W
Killashee Monastery # early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick;
plundered in raids by the Danes 1035;
remains of non-monastic 15th-century round tower on site		 Cell-ausaille;
Cell-usaille;
Kill-auxille;
Kill-Osey;
Kill-usaille 		[7]

53°11′20″N 6°40′20″W
Killelan 'Abbey' Knights Hospitaller
hospital confirmed by Innocent III 1212		 52°57′49″N 6°48′10″W
Killybegs Preceptory Knights Hospitaller
founded before 1212, confirmed by Innocent III
dissolved before 1400		 Kilbegge;
Kilbegs 		53°17′06″N 6°44′38″W
Kilrush Cell Augustinian Canons Regular
cell dependent on Cartmel;
founded c.1201;
leased by Prior Rawson to Thomas Alen and Mary his wife 1527;
dissolved before 1540; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond 1558		 Cell-rois;
Kylros 		53°04′16″N 6°52′06″W(?)
Kilteel Preceptory supposed early monastic site
Knights Hospitaller
founded before 1212 by Maurice FitzGerald, confirmed by Innocent III;
dissolved before 1527		 Cell-cele-Croist;
Kil-heel;
Kil-hele;
Kil-hill;
Kylehale 		53°13′58″N 6°31′33″W (approx)
Knocknacree Monastery order, period and foundation unknown; formerly traces of a religious foundation[notes 3] Knocknacroith 52°52′01″N 6°49′04″W (approx)
Leixlip Abbey ø≈ land granted to St Catherine's, Dublin before 1224; reference to 'monastery' probably error for a chantry;
rectory held by St Thomas's Abbey 1540		 The Blessed Virgin Mary;
The Abbey Church of Saint Wolstan, Leixlip
Lully Monastery early monastic site, founded before 584;
Anchorites before 784		 Lilcach;
Liolcaig;
Lullymore 		53°16′47″N 6°56′34″W
Maganey Monastery ø purported early monastic site, founded 6th century? by St Abban, son of Cormac, King of Laigin Mag-arnaide;
Maghinemna;
Moyarney 		52°54′22″N 6°55′32″W (approx)
Monasterevin Monastery # early monastic site, founded by St Emin, buried here;
Cistercian monks 1189 (1178?), site granted and confirmed by Dermot O'Dempsey, King of Offaly;
dissolved 1540?; granted to George, Lordd Audley; assigned to Adam Loftus;
later to the family of the Earl of Drogheda;
site now (thought to be) occupied by a stately home named 'Moore Abbey', in use as a hospice 1945–present (below)		 Monaster-evan;
Ros-glaisi;
Ross-glass-na-muimnech;
Rosglas;
Rosea Vallis 		53°08′08″N 7°03′45″W (purported)
Moone Abbey early monastic site, founded 6th century, probably by St Colmcille, patron;
purported medieval religious house — order unknown		 Maein-Choluim-Chille;
Maon-Choluim-Chille;
Monmohenock;
Mooney 		52°58′46″N 6°49′31″W
Moone Friary ø suggested Franciscan Friars
founded 1258 by Sir Gerald Fitzmaurice — contemporary evidence lacking — possible confusion with Clane
Moore Abbey *, Monasterevin Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary
founded 1945; extant;
stately home (thought to be) built on the site of Monasterevin Monastery (above), in use as a hospice		 53°08′10″N 7°03′46″W
Naas Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1200? by a baron of Naas;
hospital added;
dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior Thomas Poswyk 26 July 1539; granted to Thomas Alen of Dublin 20 April 1540;
granted to Richard Mannering 1553;
leased to Roger Finglas 1568
St John the Baptist
____________________
Nas-na-rig;
Nais;
Nasse;
Le Nas;
Nasa;
Nass;
Asensis;
Vas 		53°13′12″N 6°39′39″W
Naas Austin Friary Augustinian Friars
founded 14th century? purportedly by a White, or a Cullen of Dublin;
dissolved 1539-40; rented by John Sutton after 1540;
owned by Hugh Molton 1580-1;
leased to Nicholas Aylmer, for fifty years, in 1584
'The Monastery of the Moat'
Naas Priory Dominican Friars
founded 1355-6, licensed by Edward III c.1356;
dissolved 1540; granted to Robert Eustace and others 15 June 1542, for the use of Sir Thomas Luttrell;
later assigned to John Travers;
now at Newbridge		 St Eustace
Naas Hospitallers Knights Hospitaller
frankhouse;
held by James Tyrrell 1540;
held by Walter Hope of Mullingar 1578, under lease granted by Prior Massingberd of Kilmainham
Old Kilcullen Friary ø purported Observant Franciscan Friars[notes 4] p.38 — erroneous reference[notes 5]
Old Kilcullen Monastery early monastic site, chapel and cloister founded 5th century by St Patrick;
plundered by Amlaibh from Dublin 938, 939, 944
burned 1114		 Cill-Cuillind [8]

53°06′28″N 6°45′38″W
Naas — Millbrook Monastery early monastic site, founded by St Fechin of Fore, land granted by the King of Leinster Tulachfobhair
Naas Nunnery early monastic site, nuns, founded by St Patrick
Oughterard Monastery early monastic site, nuns, founded 6th-7th century by St Brigid (not Brigid of Kildare);
church and round tower largely destroyed by Vikings in 995; northwest of Kill		 Uachtar-aird [9]

53°16′40″N 6°33′56″W
Rathbride Camera Knights Templar
founded 13th century;
dissolved 1308;
passed to Knights Hospitallers, but exchanged with Thomas Fitx John, Earl of Kildare 1318, rectory retained by Hospitallers		 Rathbrigte
St Simon's Friary near Naas Carmelite Friars — possibly Cloncurry
St Wolstan's Priory Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine
founded c.1205 by Richard, first prior, and Adam de Hereford;
dissolved 1536, suppressed 15 September; granted to John Alen, Lord Chancellor, 1 December 1536, last prior allowed to remain in residence for life		 Scala Caeli 53°20′40″N 6°31′06″W
Taghadoe Monastery early monastic site, founded by St Tua (Ulstan the Silent) Teach-tua;
Teach-tua 		[10]

53°21′12″N 6°36′47″W
Timolin Monastery# early monastic site Tomolin;
Tech-moling;
Themolyngbeg;
Tynolingbeg;
Tomolyng
Timolin Priory Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
founded c.1199 by Robert, son of Richard, Lord of Norrach;
church and chapels granted by William de Piro, Bishop of Glendalough, confirmed by Henry, Archbishop of Dublin 1220;
dissolved 1538; held by Edmund Eustas from 14 January 1538;
granted to Henry Harrington 1581;
part granted to Terence (Tirlaughe) O'Brien 1594		 St Mary 52°59′03″N 6°48′30″W
Tully Abbey Knights Hospitaller
founded before 1212, confirmed by Innocent III 1212;
dissolved before 1527; granted to David Sutton 1538		 Black Abbey 53°08′43″N 6°54′15″W
Yeomanstown Friary Dominican Friars — from Naas
founded after 1666, transferred from Naas;
transferred to Newbridge 1756
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Notes
  1. Ordnance Survey
  2. Analecta Hibernica (Irish Manuscript Collection) No.6, November 1934, iii, p.197 — but 1486 on p.200
  3. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.332
  4. J. Cooke, Handbook for Travellers in Ireland, 1910
  5. communications of Canice Mooney, O.F.M.

References
  1. Dominicans Ireland - Athy Archived 2014-02-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Site details: Athy Priory/Hospital - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources
  3. County Kildare - Celbridge Abbey
  4. Clane Friary, Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland
  5. St. Brigid’s Cathedral « Kildare Town Heritage Centre
  6. Carmelite Friary, White Abbey, Kildare Town
  7. Killashee
  8. Old Kilcullen Monastic Site
  9. Oughterard Round Tower
  10. Taghadoe Round Tower

See also
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