List of monastic houses in County Kilkenny

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
Achardensis Friary ø~ supposed Augustinian Friars, possibly in the barony of Ossory location unknown Achiardensis
Archer?
Aghaviller Monastery early monastic site, patronised by St Brendan of Birr Achad-biroir [1]
52°27′56″N 7°16′05″W
Anothmolt Abbey Cistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire
(community founded at Loughmerans c.1202);
transferred here c.1204;
dissolved c.1207, transferred to new site at Graiguenamanagh		 Annamult;
Achermolt;
Athermolt
Ballylarkin Abbey ø asserted monastic site, order unknown
founded 13th century?; 'abbey';[notes 1] ruins of a parish church; (NM)
Calime in Leinster ~≈? Augustinian Friars, probably a duplication of Callan possibly Callan
Callan Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1215		 'Callan Abbey'
Callan Augustinian Friary Augustinian Friars
founded 1461 (1468-9) by James (buried here), son of Edmund Butler (son of Sir Richard Butler) who, with his wife, petitioned the Pope who instructed the Abbot of Ferns to instigate the foundation;
Observant Augustinian Canons Regular
refounded 1472;
ruinous by 1540;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Prior William O'Fogarty;
held by the executors of the estate of the late Earl of Ormond 1548; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond 1557-8 with friars in occupancy periodically		 Calainn;
Calime 		52°32′45″N 7°23′14″W
Callan Friary Augustinian Friars
founded 1766
Clonamery Monastery early monastic site St Bronndan 52°28′31″N 7°02′18″W
Clonfert Kerpan Abbey ~ early monastic site, founded 503
Clonmore Monastery early monastic site, granted to St Mochoemoc (Pulcherius) Cluain-or, in Ossory 52°18′20″N 7°17′20″W
Columbkille Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille Kilgriffin 52°32′30″N 7°07′56″W
Duiske Abbey +, Graiguenamanagh Cistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire
(community founded at Loughmerans c.1202)
transferred here from Annamult c.1207, built by William the elder, Earl of Pembroke;
dissolved 1536;
part of church is in R.C. ecclesiastical use; (NM)		 Graiguenamanach;
Graignambreathach;
Douske;
Duiske;
Donyske;
Vallis S. Salvatoris 		52°32′28″N 6°57′17″W
Drumdelig Friary Dominican Friars[notes 2]
novices house, or Franciscan Friars[notes 3] (the latter had land near Dromdelygen 1541)		 Thornback;
Druim-Deilgneach;
Dhrime-Dhilignach 		52°41′18″N 7°17′14″W
Ennisnag Monastery # C.I. early monastic site, founded c. 6th century, by Manchan;
Prebend Church, founded 1291 by papal authority
suppressed c. 16th century; ruins
new Protestant church, St. Peters, founded 19th century.		 Saint Manchan,
Saint Máedóc
--------------
Inis-Snaig
Inisnag 		52°33′12″N 7°14′08″W
Fertagh Priory early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Ciaran of Seirkieran (St Keiran);
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1251 by the English family of Blanchfield;
destroyed and ruinous 1421;
rebuilt 1455 by Thady Megirid, a canon of Inchmacnerin;
dissolved 1540;
priory church in parochial use by 6 January 1541;
occupied by Nicholas Cowlye;
held by Sir Edward Butler 1566;
reverted to James Butler, Jr 1566-7;-1780;
now part of a handball alley		 St Keirman
____________________
Fertae-cairech;
Fertnegeragh;
Fertakeyra;
Frattakyreach;
Grangefertagh 		[2][3]

52°46′43″N 7°32′39″W
Fiddown Monastery early monastic site, founded before late 6th century;
coarbs at least until 1073;
church demolished 1870		 Fedh-duin;
Fiodh-duin;
Fid-duin 		52°19′33″N 7°18′10″W
Freshford Monastery + early monastic site, founded 655-7 by St Lachtain mac Torben, Abbot of Achaid-Ut;
probably continuing after 1111;
site currently occupied by 17th-century St Lachtain's parochial church incorporating 12th century doorway		 Achad-ur;
Aghoure 		[4]

52°43′58″N 7°23′52″W
Gowran Camera Knights Templar
founded before 1253;
dissolved 1308, church passed to the Hospitallers		 Gabran;
Gawran 		52°37′56″N 7°03′34″W
St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran Collegiate Church
Founded before 1225, Contains a Christianised Ogham Stone from 3rd/4thc. Also the oldest inscribed effigy in Ireland of Ralph, portrieve of Gowran in 1218. The effigy is dated 19 March 1253. The church also contains tombs and effigies of the Butlers of Ormonde. Experts believe that St. Mary's Church was built on the site of an earlier monastery.
dissolved 1308, church passed to the Hospitallers		 Gabhrán;
Gowran 		52°37′56″N 7°03′34″W
Inistioge Abbey =+ early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century, purportedly by St Colmcille;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1206 by Thomas Fitz Anthony;
dissolved 1540;
church in parochial use by 8 January 1541;
occupied by Richard Butler;
granted to Sir Edmond Butler 1566;
incorporated into current C.I. parish church		 St Mary and St Colmcille
____________________
St Columba
Inis-teoc;
Inis-tiock;
Ynysteoc 		52°29′21″N 7°03′56″W
Jerpoint Abbey probably Benedictine monks
founded 1158 (1166–70);
Cistercian monks — from Baltinglass
founded 1180, grant of church confirmed by charter of John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton c.1185;
dissolved 1540; church in parochial use by 7 January 1541; granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond and Ossory 1558; (NM). Thomastown R.C. church contains the high altar from the abbey		 Baleochellam;
de Geriponte 		52°30′39″N 7°09′29″W
Jerpoint Nunnery Cistercian(?) nuns
foundation unknown
adjacent to the monks' abbey;
dissolved 1228, removal ordered by Stephen of Lexington		 52°30′37″N 7°09′26″W (approx)
Kells Priory early monastic site, founded by St Ciaran of Seirkieran;
secular college
founded 1183 by Geoffrey fitz Robert, confirmed by Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Bishop of Ossory;
Augustinian Canons Regular — from Bodmin, Cornwall
founded 1193 by Geoffrey fitz Robert;
burnt by William de Bermingham 1252;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Nicholas Tobin 18 March, or Philip Howleghan, 8 March;
occupied by James, Earl of Ormond;
church in parochial use by 31 January 1541; part leased to Sir Henry Ratcliff 1576; (NM)		 St Mary
____________________
Kells in Ossory;
Cananus;
Keananas 		52°32′20″N 7°16′00″W
Kilcolumb Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille;
probably continuing after 1161		 Cell-colum 52°19′39″N 7°02′02″W
Kilfane Monastery early monastic site, purported 'abbey' founded by St Phian Cell-phaain
Kilferagh Monastery early monastic site, purportedly founded by St Fiachrius;
church in the monastery of Rathen		 Kil-fiachra;
Kil-feara 		52°37′08″N 7°10′46″W
Kilkenny Augustinian Friary Augustinian Friars
"former canons' monastery"[notes 4]
Kilkenny Black Abbey + Dominican Friars
founded 1225 by William Marshal the younger, Earl of Pembroke (purportedly buried here, but actually at Temple Church, London);
dissolved 1540; granted to the Sovereign and commonality of Kilkenny 1543; friars apparently remained in the vicinity
reoccupied during the right of Queen Mary;
used as a courthouse;
church restored 1970s; now in parochial use		 Holy Trinity Priory 52°39′15″N 7°15′28″W
Kilkenny Carmelite Friary listed as not restored c.1737[notes 5]
Kilkenny Cathedral Monastery + early monastic site, founded before 599/600 by St Canice;
episcopal diocesan cathedral 1111; extant		 52°39′15″N 7°15′27″W
Kilkenny Grey Friary Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded 1232-40;
dissolved 1540; granted to the Sovereign and the commonality of Kilkenny 1543;
friars expelled by John Bale c.1550;
returned 1553;
expelled 1559, abandoned;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed 1609;
convent refounded 1612;
refounded 1640		 The Abbey Church of Saint Francis, Kilkenny 52°39′21″N 7°15′13″W
Kilkenny Hospitallers Knights Hospitaller
"liberum hospicum" 1335;
"frankehouse" 1541
Kilkenny Hospital Knights of St Thomas of Acon
founded before 1219 by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, confirmed to the knights and brothers by charter of Gilbert Marshall, Earl of Pembroke		 The Hospital of Saint John the Baptist
Kilkenny, St John's Priory hospital, founded c.1202 by William Marshal the elder, Earl of Pembroke
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1211;
dissolved 1540, surrendered by Richard Cantwell, 19 March;
in parochial use by 4 January 1541; granted to the Mayor and citizens of Kilkenny		 Hospital of St John the Evangelist
The Priory Church of Saint John, Kilkenny
____________________
St John's Priory without the walls;
St John the Baptist
Kilkenny Nunnery
Kilkieran Monastery early monastic site, high crosses Cell-cainnig;
Canocopolis 		[5][6][7]

52°23′52″N 7°22′51″W
Killaloe Monastery early monastic site, founded c.540 by St Mochua Cell-molua 52°34′55″N 7°26′26″W (approx)
Killamery Monastery early monastic site, possibly founded c.632 by St Gobhan;
probably not continuing after 10th century		 Cell-Lamhraighe;
Killamruidhe 		52°30′44″N 7°25′48″W (approx)
Killenny Abbey possible Benedictine monks
founded 1162-5, site granted by Dermot O'Ryan, liegeman of Dermot Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, to Felix Ua Duib Sláin, Abbot of Ossory, confirmed by Dermot;
Cistercian monks — from Jerpoint
founded 1184;
united to Graiguenamanagh 22 July 1227, confirmed by Stephen of Lexington
grange of Graiguenamanagh;
granted to Charles Cavenagh, Abbot of Graiguenamanagh for 61 years 10 June 1525;
dissolved 1540, remaining in possession of Cavenagh at least until 1548, unknown whether monks remained in occupation		 St Mary and St Benedict
____________________
Vallis Dei;
Glandy;
Barrowmount;
Old Abbey
Kilmanagh Monastery early monastic site, founded before 563? by St Natalis (or Notan);
probably not continuing after 10th century		 Cell-na-manach 52°37′16″N 7°25′42″W (?)
Kilree Monastery early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Brigid;
apparently erroneous reference to foundation of an abbey 1176		 Cell-righ [8][9]

52°31′05″N 7°16′07″W
Knocktopher Friary ^ Carmelite Friars
founded 1356 by James Butler, 2nd Earl of Ormond for the friars already in the town;
dissolved before c.1541; granted to Margaret, Countess of Ormond;
friars returned 17th century;
expelled before 1654;
friars returned 1735; convent in existence 1737; remains incorporated into private house, currently in use as a guest house named 'Knocktopher Abbey'		 St Mary
The Friary of St Saviour[notes 6] 		[10]

52°28′59″N 7°13′00″W
Knocktopher Carmelite Friary * Carmelite Friars
returned 1735; convent in existence 1737; new church consecrated 1843; extant		 [10]

52°28′57″N 7°12′52″W
Loghmere Abbey Cistercian monks — from Stanley, Wiltshire
founded c.1202/4;
transferred to Anothmolt before 1207		 Loughmerans Abbey 52°40′58″N 7°15′41″W (approx)
Ossarge Abbey Benedictine monks
dependent on Wurzburg;
founded before 1148? (before 1162-5);
if Kilkenny, apparently transferred to Jerpoint in, or soon after, 1165;
dissolved 1541		 Ossory;
possibly Jerpoint;
possibly Kilkenny
Rosbercon Abbey Dominican friars
founded 1267, purportedly by the Grace family or the Walsh family;
dissolved 1539, surrendered by Prior Matthew Flemynge 20 June		 St Mary;
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Shankill Monastery "site of Abbey"[notes 7] Seincheall 52°41′09″N 7°03′31″W (approx)
Tibberaghny Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century, patronised by St Mo-Dhomnog of Lann Beachaire Tipra-fachtnai 52°20′46″N 7°21′33″W (approx)
Tiscoffin Monastery early monastic site, 'cella' founded 6th century by St Scuithin (Scuithin) Tech-scruithin;
Tech-scoithin;
Tascoffin 		52°40′42″N 7°06′01″W (approx)
Tullaherin Monastery early monastic site, reputedly founded by St Cainnnech;
round tower on site		 Tulach-tirm;
Tulach-Iarain 		[11]

52°34′44″N 7°07′41″W
Tullamaine Monastery early monastic site;
plundered 1026		 Tealach-dimainn;
Tealach-n-ionmainne
Ullard Monastery early monastic site, founded before 670 by St Fiachra
high cross (9th c.) and ruined church (12th c.)		 [12]

52°34′49″N 6°55′59″W
Woolengrange ~ Cistercian monks
grange of Jerpoint;
leased out 1541
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Notes
  1. Ordnance Survey
  2. Tomas de Burgo, Hibernica Dominicana, 1762 edition, p.206, no.iv, repeated by Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.373
  3. W. Carrigan, History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, 1905 iii. p.195
  4. Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by J. Stevens, 1722, pp.309,312,317
  5. Arch. Ord. Rome (Carmelite Order), Manuscripts II, C.O. II, 26, p.13 (compiled 1739-59)
  6. Lord Killanin & M. V. Duignan, Shell Guide to Ireland, 1962, (new edition 1967), pp.343-4
  7. Ordnance Survey

References
  1. "Aghaviller Church & Round Tower". irishantiquities.bravehost.com. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. Site details: Fertagh Priory - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources
  3. Grangefertagh Round Tower & Church
  4. Freshford Church
  5. Kilkieran High Cross | Attractions | Churches, Abbeys and Monasteries | All Ireland | Republic of Ireland | Kilkenny | Piltown | Discover Ireland
  6. High Cross Kilkieran
  7. Prehistoric and Early Ireland @ megalithomania.com - Kilkieran High Cross, County Kilkenny
  8. Kilree Irish Round Tower
  9. Kilree High Cross
  10. Carmelite Friary, Knocktopher & Parish of Ballyhale
  11. Tullaherin Round Tower
  12. Ullard Monastic Site

See also
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