List of monastic houses in County Meath

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
Ardbraccan Monastery early monastic site Arda-Breaain 53°39′28″N 6°44′49″W
Ardsallagh Monastery early monastic site Ard-Brendomnaich;
Airdleac;
Eascair-Branain 		53°35′38″N 6°41′07″W
Argetbor Monastery early monastic site, Patrician monks
Athboy Friary =+ Carmelite Friars
founded 1317, license to grant land granted 17 October 1317;
dissolved 1539; occupied by farmer Thomas Casey 1540;
not in the list of restored convents c.1737;
site now occupied by C.I. parish church		 Athbuidhe;
Aboy;
Beallabuy 		53°37′18″N 6°55′05″W
Ballyboggan Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1200?, supposedly by Jordan Comin;
dissolved 1537, surrendered by Prior Thomas Bermingham 15 October 1537;
church found to be parochial by 1540; granted to Sir William Bermingham, Baron of Carbrie, 1541		 Thoe Holy Trinity
____________________
Baile-ua-bhogain;
Balibagan;
de Laude Dei 		53°24′36″N 7°02′38″W
Bective Abbey Cistercian monks — from Mellifont
founded 1147 by Murchad O Melaghlin, King of Meath, colonized 14 January 1147;
dissolved 6 May 1536; held by John Alen, Lord Chancellor;
granted to Andrew Wyse, vice-treasurer c.1552;
Alexander Fitton also given as grantee; Bartholomew Dillon given as assignee;[notes 1] (NM)		 Beatidudo Dei;
Becco Dei;
Bectiffe;
Brime;
Lie-trede 		53°34′57″N 6°42′10″W
Beybeg Cell Cistercian monks — from Beaubec, France
founded before 1216, manor granted by Walter de Lacy to the monks of St Mary and St Laurence de Bellow Becco, confirmed by Henry III;
mistaken reference to Benedictines;[notes 2]
dissolved 1332, granted to Furness by license 1332;
granted to Thomas Cusak 1560

Beaubec;
Bebeke;
de Bello Loco

53°41′42″N 6°19′34″W (approx)
Calliaghstown Priory Augustinian nuns — Arroasian — from Duleek?
dependent on Clonard-Odder;
founded after 1195?, church confirmed to the nuns of Clonard 1195;
church possibly shared by canons and canonesses possibly from c.1144 (in the time of St Malachy);
dissolved before 1500?, probably abandoned before 1500		 St Mary
____________________
Callystown 		53°40′04″N 6°21′00″W
Castlekeeran Monastery early monastic site, founded 8th century by St Ciaran;
plundered by Norsmen 949;
burned by MacMurrough 1170		 Caislen-Ciaran;
Belach-duin 		53°44′27″N 6°57′15″W
Clonard Abbey early monastic site, founded c.520 by St Finnian;
diocesan cathedral 1111;
translated to Trim 1202;
Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
founded before 1146 (probably 1144);
dissolved 1202?;		 St Peter [1]

53°27′03″N 7°00′26″W
Clonard Abbey

Augustinian Canonesses — Arroasian
founded 1144 by Murchad O'Melaghlin, ruler of Meath, at the instance of St Malachy;
cell, dependent on Odder from before 1384;
dissolved before 1535?, possibly abandoned before 1535; leased to Gerald FitzGerald 1540

 St Mary
____________________
Cluain-Iraird 		[1]
Clonard Priory Augustinian Canons Regular — probably from St Thomas's, Dublin
founded c.1183 (between 1183 and 1186) by Hugh de Lacy;
cathedral priory;
dissolved 1202?		 St John
Clonard Abbey Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1202?, St Peter's Abbey and St John's Priory united;
dissolved 1540		 SS Peter and John
Clonguffin Monastery early monastic site, nuns, founded before 760 by St Fintana? Cluain-cuibhtin;
Cluain-cuifthin 		53°26′54″N 6°54′25″W (approx)
Collumbus Monastery ≈ early monastic site
possibly located in County Meath
Colp Cell Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
dependent on Llanthony Prima;
founded after 1183? by Hugh de Lacy;
dissolved 1540; granted to Henry Draycott 1559		 Colps;
Culpe 		53°42′24″N 6°17′42″W
Courtown Friary Franciscan Friars[notes 3]
Dall Bronig Monastery ~ early monastic site, founded 5th century?[notes 4]
Disert-moholmoc Monastery ~≈ early monastic site, possibly located in County Meath possibly Staholmog, infra
Diore-mac-Aidmecain Monastery ~ early monastic site, nuns, founded 6th century (in the time of St Finnian of Clonard) St Lassara the virgin
____________________
Dairemacnaidmecain
Donacarney Monastery nuns, ruins purportedly a nunnery[notes 5] Domnach-cairne;
Donnygarney
Donaghmore Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick for Cruimthir Cassan (St Cassanus), reputedly Patrick's first foundation in Ireland;
erenaghs up to late 11th century;
church became parochial after 1171;
remains of later church and round tower on site		 Domnach-mor-maige-echnach;
Domnach-torten;
Bile-torten 		[2]

53°40′13″N 6°39′43″W
Donaghpatrick Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick, land granted by Conall mac Niall;
burned 750;
raided a number of times by the Norsemen;
plundered by Dermot MacMurrough 1156;
church became parochial after 1171;
site now occupied by St Patrick's C.I. church		 Domnach-patraice;
Donogh-patrick 		53°41′47″N 6°45′36″W
Donaghseery Monastery ~ early monastic site, founded 5th century (in the time of St Patrick) Domnach-sairigi
Donor Friary, ~ Killaconnigan parish Dominican Friars
founded by 1636
Druim-corcortri Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick for Diarmait
Druimfinchoil Monastery ~ early monastic site, founded by Columb and Lugad
Druimmacubla Monastery ~ early monastic site, founded 5th century (in the time of St Patrick)? Druim-maccu-blai
Dulane Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century?;
plundered by the Norsemen 886;
plundered by MacMurrough and his knights 1170;
church became parochial after 1171		 Tuilean;
Tuileim;
Tulleean 		53°45′13″N 6°52′42″W
Duleek Monastery early monastic site, founded before 489 by St Cianan;
diocesan cathedral 1111;
merged to Meath after 1152?		 Dam-liac;
Doimliag
Duleek, St Mary's Abbey =+ Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
priory founded after 1140 by O'Kelly, probably Muircertach O'Kelly, King of Bregha;
probably double monastery Augustinian Canons Regular and nuns — Arroasian
dependent on Clonard;
founded after 1144;
church confirmed to the nuns of Clonard 1195;
dissolved after 1195, nuns probably transferred to Calliaghstown;
raised to abbey status c.1290;
dissolved 1537; granted to Edward Becke for 21 years 28 January 1548;
lease passed to John Parker 1564;
remains incorporatated into C.I. parish church built on site 		53°39′19″N 6°25′08″W
Duleek, St Michael's Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
dependent on Llanthony Secunda;
founded c. 1180 by Hugh de Lacy;
dissolved before 1538?;
rented by Thomas Cusak and others		 St Michael
____________________
Cell of St Cianan 		53°39′12″N 6°25′06″W
Duleek Hospitallers Knights Hospitaller frankhouse
Dunboyne Cell Augustinian Canons Regular
dependent on Mullingar;
founded after 1230?;
dissolved after 1350		 Dun-buinne 53°25′09″N 6°28′41″W (approx)
Dunshaughlin Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century by Senchall (St Secundus) Domnach-sechnaill 53°30′52″N 6°32′21″W
Emlagh Monastery early monastic site, probably founded by a St Beccan (though not Beccan of Cluiain-ard);
church becoming parochial after 1171		 Imleach-Beccain;
Imblech-fia 		53°45′07″N 6°48′26″W
Feart-Cearbain Monastery ~ early monastic site Ferta-cerbain;
Ferta-cherpain
Fennor Monastery early monastic site, founded by St Nectan? Finnabair-abha;
Finnabrach 		53°42′02″N 6°32′22″W
Gormanston Friary * Franciscan Friars;
founded 1947;
opened as a secondary school 1954;
in use as a Franciscan college;
extant		 [3]

Indeidnen Monastery early monastic site, founded before 849;
erenaghs into 11th century		 Indenen;
Inan 		53°30′06″N 7°02′10″W (approx)
Inishmot Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Mochta Inis-mochta 53°50′52″N 6°36′24″W (approx)
Kells Monastery early monastic site
purportedly founded 6th century by St Colmcille — evidence lacking
founded by c.804;
diocesan cathedral 1152;
merged with Meath c.1211;
becoming a parochal church
secular college, perpetual chantry in the church;
dissolved 1549		 53°43′38″N 6°52′46″W
Kells Abbey Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
founded after 1140 (1140-8), at the instance of St Malachy;
Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
founded after 1144, confirmed to the nuns of Clonard;
(possibly a double monastery)
nuns probably transferred to Calliaghstown 1195;
destroyed by the Anglo-Normans 1176, who proceeded to build a castle, destroyed later that year;
apparently refounded by Hugh de Lacy;
dissolved 11 November 1539, surrendered by Abbot Richard Plunkett; granted to Sir Gerald Fleminge 1541		 St Mary
_____________________
Ceanannus-mor;
Cenandas;
Kenan;
kenlis 		53°43′39″N 6°52′47″W
Kells Priory ≈ purported Knights Hospitaller — probable confusion with Crutched Friars' house (see immediately below) St John
Kells Priory Hospital Crutched Friars
founded before 1199 (during the reign of Richard I) by Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath;
(erroneously attributed as Trinitarians)
dissolved 1539; granted to Richard Slayne 1566		 St John the Baptist
Kilbrew Monastery early monastic site, founded by 7th century;
possibly dissolved after 1018 when many were slain		 Cell-fobrich;
Cell-foirbrich 		53°32′41″N 6°27′40″W
Kilbride Priory Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
priory? dependent on Trim;
founded after 1144, confirmed to nuns of Clonard 1195;
probably dissolved sometime after 1310		 St Brigid
____________________
Trim, St Brigid 		53°36′02″N 6°49′16″W
Kildalkey Monastery early monastic site, founded by St Mo-Luog;
burned 779;
extant 888		 Cell-deilge;
Cell-delga 		53°34′36″N 6°54′22″W (?)
Kilglin Monastery early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick;
extant 842		 Celldumagluinn;
Kildumhagloinn 		53°25′07″N 6°41′48″W (approx)
Killabban Monastery ~ early monastic site founded 6th century by St Abban Cell-abbain
Killaconnigan Friary ≈ Dominican Friars? possibly Donore (supra)
Killaine Monastery ~ early monastic site, nuns;
founded by St Enda for his sister Fanchea		 Cell-aine 53°44′59″N 6°30′28″W (approx possible)
Killalga Monastery ~ early monastic site, supposedly located in County Meath[notes 6] Cell-elge;
Cell-elga
Kilmainhambeg Preceptory Knights Hospitaller
founded before 1199 (during the reign of Richard I) by Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath;
dissolved 1499;
ruinous by 1588;
leased to Sir Patrick Barnewell (renewed 1585 and 1590)		 Kilmaynanbeg 53°42′35″N 6°50′25″W (approx)
Kilmainham Wood Preceptory Knights Hospitaller
purportedly founded after 1212 by the Prestons;
probably farmed out 14th century;
dissolved before 1500?; lease granted to Callough O'More		 Kilmainhamwood Commandery;
Kylmaynanwood;
Kilmaynanwood 		[4]

53°51′05″N 6°48′38″W (?)
Kilmoon Monastery early monastic site, probably founded 6th century (in the time of St Brendan of Clonfert) by St Moinne (Munni), a Briton;
extant 885		 St Moinne
___________________
Cell-monai;
Cell-moinne 		53°34′11″N 6°27′30″W
Kilshine Monastery early monastic site, nuns
founded before 597? by St Abban for St Segnich (Sinchea)		 Cell-ailbe;
Cell-sinche;
Techsinche 		53°45′02″N 6°44′02″W
Kilskeer Monastery early monastic site, monks and nuns?;
possible double monastery;
founded 6th century (in the time of St Colmcille) by Schiria;
possibly monks only from 8th century		 Cell-scire;
Killskyre 		53°41′28″N 6°59′51″W
Leckno Monastery early monastic site, founded by 750 Lecknagh;
Leckne;
possibly Piercetown 		53°35′09″N 6°26′27″W
Lismullin Priory Augustinian nuns
founded c.1240 by Avicia de la Corner (Avice de Lacortier, widow), sister of Richard, Bishop of Meath, who granted the church and manors;
dissolved 1539; granted to Sir Thomas Cusack 1547		 The Holy Trinity
____________________
Las-mullen;
Les-mullen;
Lois-mullen;
Kilmullan 		[5]

53°35′46″N 6°35′00″W (?)
Lough Sheelin Monastery early monastic site, founded possbly 6th century by St Carthag, bishop Inisvachtuir;
Inisuachtair;
Church Island 		[6]

53°48′10″N 7°19′39″W
Lough Sheelin Friary Friars, possible place of refuge during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 53°48′07″N 7°19′36″W (approx)?
Mornington Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colmcille Baile-mernain;
Villa Maris;
Marinerstown 		53°43′18″N 6°16′59″W (?)
Navan Abbey Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
founded before 1170?, probably on site of earlier monastery (see immediately below), church confirmed to the canons by John de Courcy;
surrendered 19 July 1538 by Abbot Thomas Waffe;
dissolved 1539;
church in parochial use by 1540;
occupancy by John Brokes 1540-1		 St Mary
____________________
An Uaim;
Nuachongbail;
Novbain;
Uaim 		[7]

53°39′21″N 6°41′13″W
Navan Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century;
Augustinian Canons house probably founded on site (see immediately above)
Newtown Trim Cathedral Priory Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine — possibly from St Thomas's Abbey, Dublin
founded 1202 by Simon Rochfort, Bishop of Meath, who translated the see here from Clonard;
dissolved 1536, suppressed 1 May 1536		 SS Peter and Paul 53°33′21″N 6°46′19″W
Newtown Trim Priory Hospital Crutched Friars
founded after 1206?, possibly by the Bishop of Meath;
dissolved 1539; occupier Sir Thomas Cusake 1540-2		 The Priory Hospital of St John the Baptist
Odder Priory dedication infers early monastic site, nuns
Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
priory founded c.1144?, confirmed to the nuns of Clonard by Pope Celestine III 1195;
raised to abbey status c.1383;
dissolved 1539;
church parochial by 1540;
under occupancy of Nicholas Stanyhurst 1540;
leased to James Stanihurst 1557		 St Brigid
____________________
Odra 		53°34′03″N 6°37′30″W (approx)
Oristown Monastery early monastic site, cella founded by St Finbar of Cork, site granted by a local chieftain Raith-airthir 53°43′32″N 6°46′44″W (?)
Piercetown Monastery ≈ early monastic site Leckno;
Lecknagh;
Leckne;
Pyerston Laundy 		53°35′09″N 6°26′27″W (?)
53°35′04″N 6°25′35″W (?)
Rathaige Monastery ≈ early monastic site, possibly located in County Meath Raithaidme
Rath-becain Monastery ~ early monastic site, founded by St Abban;
possibly located in County Meath		 Rathbeggan;
Rathbeg
Rathmore Abbey ø "Abbey"[notes 7] not a monastic church, apparently parochial Ballyboy 53°38′35″N 6°52′20″W
Rathossain Monastery early monastic site, founded before 686 by St Ossain Rathosain [8]

53°26′54″N 6°54′25″W (approx)
Ratoath Abbey Augustinian Canons Regular
cell? dependent on St Thomas's Abbey, Dublin?, possibly a hospital maintained by the canons;
founded before c.1300?;
dissolved after 1456		 St Mary Magdalene
____________________
Rath-outhe;
Ratouth 		[9][10]

53°30′30″N 6°27′37″W {?)
Russagh Monastery ~ early monastic site, founded by St Caeman (Coeman) Brec Ros-eac;
Ros-each;
Clonabreny
Silverstream Priory Benedictine Monks
founded 2012 by Dom Mark Daniel Kirby		 Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle [11]

53°38′16″N 6°17′24″W
Skreen Monastery early monastic site
founded before late 9th century;
plundered 974 and 986;
plundered by the foreigners from Dublin 1037;
plundered by the men of Teathbha 1058;
plundered by the Ui Briuin 1152;
granted to St Mary's Abbey, Dublin 1185-6		 Scrin-coluim-cille;
Scrinium;
Shrine;
Skryne;
Acall;
Achall 		53°35′09″N 6°33′47″W
Skreen Friary #,
nr. Tara		 Augustinian Friars
founded 1341, 99-year lease of land granted by Lord Francis de Feipo;
dissolved 1539; granted to Thomas Cusack 1542; (NM)		 Hill of Skreen Monastery
Skreen Priory Augustinian nuns — Arroasian
dependent on Clonard
founded after 1144;
confirmed to the nuns of Clonard 1195;
dissolved before 1240?, probably abandoned before the founding of Lismullin;
passed to Odder late 14th century		 St Mary
Slane Monastery early monastic site, founded by St Patrick;
hermitage attributed to St Erc;
plundered by the Norsemen 833;
probably dissolved before 1170;
plundered 1156, 1161 and 1170		 Slaine;
Slainge;
Ferta-fer-feac
Slane Friary Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular
founded before 31 August 1512, license obtained by Christopher Fleming, Baron of Slane, and his wife Elizabeth Stuckly for the hermitage of St Erc to be granted in perpetuity to Franciscans Father Malachy O'Bryen and Brother Donagh O'Bryen who were resident there;
dissolved 1540, before 1548; granted to Sir James Fleming 12 November 1543;
granted to James, Lord of Slayne 1546; occupied by James Fleming 1548;
priests and prelates continued in residency after suppression;
Capuchin Franciscan Friars
founded 1641;
dissolved 1650; (NM) 		53°43′02″N 6°32′35″W
Staholmog Monastery early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Colman[notes 8] Disert-Moholmoc;
Tech-Moholmog 		53°46′32″N 6°47′30″W
Tara Monastery early monastic site, founded before 504, possibly by St Partick for Cerpan, a convert of his, later bishop here Fert-cherpain at Temuir 53°34′50″N 6°36′37″W (?)
Tara Hospice Knights Hospitaller
founded by 1212: church confirmed to the knights;
hospice extant 1331		 Cardomiston
Teltown Monastery early monastic site, founded before 723 Tailltui;
Cell-talten;
Cell-tailtean;
Kiltalton 		53°42′00″N 6°46′52″W
Trevet Monastery early monastic site, founded before 563, probably by St Colmcille;
burned by Donnechadh O Caroroll 1145;
plundered by the Ui Briuin 1152		 Treoit;
Treod;
Trefoit;
Tryvet 		53°32′29″N 6°32′20″W
Trim Abbey early monastic site, founded 5th century by St Patrick, site granted by Feidlimid, son of Loiguire;
diocesan cathedral 1202;
early monastic site, nuns 407 later? Kilbride?
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded after 1140;
probably Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian
probably adopted 1144 at the instance of St Malachy;
burned 1108 by Conor O'Melaghlin;
destroyed before 1186;
restored/rebuilt by de Lacy (probably Hugh de Lacy) before 1188-91;
burnt 1203;
dissolved 1539; granted to Sir Anthony Leger, the king's deputy, 1542;
converted into a Protestant school 18th century; (NM)		 The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Trim
____________________
Talbot Castle 		[12]

53°33′23″N 6°47′19″W
Trim Blackfriars Dominican Friars
founded 1263, probably by Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath, later friar and buried here, or by Hussey, Baron of Galtrim, benefactor and buried here;
dissolved 1540;
occupied by David Flody, farmer, 1548
friars remained in the district, acquiring a new house at Donor, supra, by 1636		 St Mary

53°33′37″N 6°47′21″W
Trim Friary # Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual
founded before 1282?, possibly by William, Rufus de Burgo or the Plunkets, hospital possibly granted to the friars;
Observant Franciscan Friars
reformed not later than 1506;
dissolved 1540; granted to three persons 1542;
occupied by John Hamond 1548;
convent recommended for restoration 1544;
suppressed by the Protestants and converted into a court house;
abandoned until another house built 1609		 St Bonavente or St Francis
Trim Crutched Friars ~ duplication of Newtown Trim Crutched Friary, supra[notes 9]
Trim Carmelite Friars given in Rinuccini list - evidence lacking
Tullyard Monastery ~ early monastic site,
collapse of round tower c.1760[notes 10]		 Tullaghard
Villa Britone ~≈? given in taxation of 1302-6 — yet to be identified - foundation, order and period unknown Villa Bruton
Click on a county to go to the corresponding article

Notes
  1. Harris's Table. Ware-Harris, Antiquities, 1745
  2. James Ware, De Hibernia, et Antiquitatibus ejus, 1654 edition
  3. A. Cogan, The Diocese of Meath 1862-70, i, pp.211-2
  4. J. Ryan, S.J., Irish Monasticism, Origins and Development, 1931, p.78 gives a bishop at Dall Bronig in the time of St Patrick
  5. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.529
  6. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.399 gives Killalga as County Offaly
  7. Ordnance Survey, ½ inch, and Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901
  8. listed in Harris's Table in Ware-Harris, Antiquities, 1745, p.264
  9. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum 1786, p.581
  10. E. Hogan, S.J., Goedelicum locorum et tribuum Hiberniae et Scotiae, R.I.A., 1910, p.627

References
  1. A Relic of Clonard, County Meath
  2. Donaghmore Monastic Site
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland: Comprising the Several Counties ... - Samuel Lewis - Google Books
  5. Lismullen | Monastic Matrix
  6. "Shop.osi.ie Mapviewer". Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  7. Site details: Navan Abbey - Monastic Ireland - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources
  8. The Protestant "Reformation," part second: containing a list of the abbeys ... - William Cobbett - Google Books
  9. Ratoath
  10. A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland: Exhibiting the Names of the Several ... - Nicholas Carlisle - Google Books
  11. Silverstream Priory

See also
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.