List of monastic houses in County Limerick

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

The sites listed are ruins or fragmentary remains unless indicated thus:
*	current monastic function
+	current non-monastic ecclesiastic function
^	current non-ecclesiastic function
=	remains incorporated into later structure
#	no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
~	exact site of monastic foundation unknown
ø	possibly no such monastic foundation at location
¤	no such monastic foundation
≈	identification ambiguous or confused

Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented).

Trusteeship denoted as follows:
NIEA	Scheduled Monument (NI)
NM	National Monument (ROI)
C.I.	Church of Ireland
R.C.	Roman Catholic Church

Alphabetical listing of establishments

Foundation	Image	Communities & Provenance	Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names	OnLine References & Location
Abbeyfeale Abbey		Cistercian monks founded 1188 by Brian O'Brien; dissolved c.1209; cell dependent on Monasteranenagh c.1209; dissolved c.1350?; probably residential grange leased to laymen; possibly obtained by Carmelite Friars (v. Felense in Munster, infra)	Feale; Monaster-na-Feile; Felense?	[1] 52°23′09″N 9°18′03″W
Abington Abbey		Cistercian monks — from Arklow (community founded at Wyresdale, Lancashire c.1196 from Furness, transferred to Arklow before 1204) transferred here 1205, land granted by Theobald Walter, Butler of Ireland; dissolved 1540; secular 1540; restored — recolonized from Furness/Savigny; granted to Walter Aphoell by Edward VI, confirmed by Queen Mary 1553; dissolved after 1557; lease passed to Piers (Peter) Walshe 1562	St Mary ____________________ Mainister-uaithne; Owney; Unquchin; Vetinex; Vogney; Woney; Wotheney; Huena	[2] 52°37′59″N 8°25′20″W
Adare Friary ⁺		Augustinian Friars founded before 1316 by John Fitz Thomas Fitzgerald; Observant Augustinian Friars 1472; dissolved 1539-40; friars probably still in occupation until 1559; dissolved c.1581?; leased to John Gold and others before 1583; granted to Sir Henry Wallop 1595; conventual church now in use as C.I. parish church	Black Abbey	[3] 52°34′04″N 8°47′05″W
Adare Friary, (Franciscan)		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1464 by Thomas Fitz Gerald, Earl of Kildare and his wife Johanna; Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1466; dissolved 1539-40; apparently unoccupied by 1559; restored by 1579; expelled c.1581 during the Desmond war; granted to Sir Henry Wallop 1595; (re-established at a new location in Adare 1633) now in the grounds of Adare Manor, within a golf course, with public access	The church of Saint Michael Archangel of the Friars Minor ____________________ Athdara; Atdare	[4] 52°34′09″N 8°46′35″W
Adare Trinitarian Monastery		Trinitarian Friars founded c.1230 (before 1226?); dissolved after 1539? (officially February 1539); granted to Sir Henry Wallop 1595; ruinous church repaired by the Earl of Dunraven 1811; in use as R.C. church	St James; The Holy Trinity ____________________ White Abbey	[5][6] 52°33′54″N 8°47′20″W
Adare Dominican Friary ^≈	Dominican Friars — erroneous reference to Trinitarian Friary[notes 1]
Adare Preceptory		Knights Hospitaller (listed c.1658[notes 2])
Any Friary		purported Augustinian Friars[notes 3] founded during the reign of Edward II, by John, son of Robert and others;	Knockainy; Ballynamona?	52°29′51″N 8°27′19″W
Ardaneer Priory		Benedictine monks founded c.1202, land and church granted by William de Burgo to Richard, monk of Glastonbury; dependent on Glastonbury; dissolved 1205?	St Mary ____________________ ?Ardimur; Ardinuir; Oculnid
Ardpatrick Monastery		early monastic site, purportedly founded 5th century by St Patrick; monastic lands recorded as late as 1597	Ardpatricke; Ard-Padraig	[7] 52°20′18″N 8°31′52″W
Askeaton Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1389?,[notes 4] or before 1400[notes 5]) by Gearóid Iarla (Gerald), 4th Earl of Desmond,[notes 6] or 1420 by James Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond;[notes 7] Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1497; reformed 1513; dissolved 1575; (NM)	Athskettin; Easa-geibhteine; Es-geibhteine; Inis-geibhthine; Easa-gebryny	[8][9] 52°36′14″N 8°58′31″W
Askeaton Commandery		Knights Templar[notes 8] founded 1298, attached to the parochial church,[notes 9] now the C.I. parish church of St Mary		[10] 52°36′02″N 8°58′14″W
Ballinegaul Friary		early monastic site Dominican Friars founded 1296, rebuilt by the Geraldines; dependent on Kilmallock; granted to Richard Lawless 1551-2; dissolved before 1586, ruinous by 1586; listed as Carmelite 1597 (see immediately below)	Monaster-na-ngall; Burgus Anglorum; Braber duff (Black friars); Ballinegall	52°19′55″N 8°28′04″W (approx)
Ballinegaul White Friary		Carmelite Friars former Dominican house (see immediately above) listed as White Friars 1597	Monaster-na-ngall; Burgus Anglorum	52°19′55″N 8°28′04″W (approx)
Ballingarry Abbey		'abbey',[notes 10] unknown order and foundation Franciscan Friars?		[11] 52°28′37″N 8°51′24″W
Ballingarry Nunnery ^~		supposed nuns — order and foundation unknown	dedication unknown
Ballintubber Monastery ^≈		purported Carmelite Friars or Knights Templar granted to Robert Browne possible reference to Rochestown Dominican Friary
Ballybrood Friary		Franciscan Friars — possible refuge 17th century; purportedly all slaughtered by Oliver Cromwell
Ballycahane Preceptory?		Knights Templar church confirmed to the Knights Hospitaller 1212 — no record of preceptory	Cathan
Ballynagallagh Priory		Augustinian nuns convent founded 1283 by a FitzGibbon; land here in possession of Llanthony Priory 1360; dissolved before 1548; granted to Edmund Sexton c.1548; some confusion with St Catherine de O'Conyl;	Monaster-nagalliaghduff; Monaster-necallowduffe; Monaster-nicalliagh	[12] 52°31′12″N 8°32′30″W (approx)
Ballyorgan Friary ^¤≈	Trinitarian — erroneous reference to Ballinegaul Dominican Friary, supra		Baile-aragain
Ballyorgan Friary		early monastic site, purportedly founded 6th century by St Finnian	Baile-aragain	52°18′41″N 8°27′58″W
Bruree Preceptory?		Knights Templar castle purportedly built 12th century by the order; no record of a preceptory	Brugh-righ
Carrigogunnell Preceptory?		Knights Templar[notes 11]	Carraic-O-gCoinneal
Castleconnell Friary?		unknown order purported Augustinian Friars founded c.1300;[notes 12] "remains of a monastery"[notes 13]	Caislen-ui-chonaing; Castle-Connell in Munster	52°42′55″N 8°30′11″W (approx)
Castletown-mac-eneiry Monastery		remains of a purported large monastery,[notes 14] doubtful	Roque (Castletown, Corcomohide parish)
Clarina Monastery		Autustinian Canons Regular nuns	Cluain-Credhil;[notes 15] Killeedy?
Cloch-na-monach Abbey		Cistercian monks supposed abbey remains;[notes 16] grange of Monasteranenagh	Cloghnamanagh
Cloncagh Monastery		early monsastic site, founded before 625 by St Maedoc of Ferns		[13]
Clonkeen Monastery		early monsastic site, founded 6th/7th century by St Mo-Diomog[notes 17]		52°38′38″N 8°27′35″W
Doon Monastery		early monsastic site, founded 6th century (in existence in the time of St Colmcille)	Dunbleschiae	52°36′16″N 8°14′38″W
Dysert Monastery, Carrigeen		early monastic site, founded by a St Oengus (purportedly the Culdee)	Disert-aengusa	52°31′15″N 8°44′41″W
Felense Friary ^~≈?		Carmelite Friars possibly located in County Limerick, possibly former site of Abbeyfeale Cistercians, supra, otherwise county and location unknown	Felense in Munster; Abbeyfeale?
Friarstown Friary		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded after 1450? (or 13th century by the Clan-Gibbons); dissolved 1544; possibly vacant by 1450; held in rebellion by Gerald Baluff f. Philip until after 1590?	St Francis de Ballynebrahrair ____________________ Ballynabrahrair; Baile-ne-braher; Bally-ne-braher; Clochnamanach Abbey	[14][15] 52°35′36″N 8°36′37″W
Galbally Friary	village location — friary located across the county border: see Moor Abbey, List of monastic houses in County Tipperary
Glenstal Abbey *		Benedictine monks; extant; mansion in monastic use, also serving as a school		[16] 52°39′42″N 8°23′17″W
Hospital Preceptory		Knights Hospitaller founded before 1215 (during the reign of King John) by Geoffrey de Mariscis, the Knights being granted royal privileges 1215; dissolved before 1540; farmed out by Pr Rawson; granted to Sir Valentine Browne by Queen Elizabeth; Kenmare Castle built on site by Browne; leased before 1603; granted to Thomas Brown (ancestor of the Earls of Kenmare) 1604	The Preceptory of Saint John the Baptist, Any ____________________ Ane; Any; Hospital of Any; Anye	[17] 52°28′34″N 8°25′57″W
Hyde Ita Nunnery?		Augustinian Canons Regular nuns,[notes 18] apparently Cell Ita (v. Killedy)	Hydh Ita; (probably Cell Ita, properly Killeedy)?
Kellis Priory	properly Kells, County Kilkenny[notes 19]
Killeedy Monastery		early monastic site, monks and nuns founded c.546 by St Ita; possibly not continuing after the 10th century	Cell-ite; Cluain-chredail; Killita	52°22′55″N 9°04′16″W
Kilmacanearla Abbey, Ballingarry parish		"Abbey (in ruins)"[notes 20]		52°28′37″N 8°51′24″W
Kilmallock Friary		Dominican Friars founded 1291, land purchased from John Bluet, burgess, with the consent of Edward I; dissolved 1541; leased to James FitzJohn, Earl of Desmond 1548; passed to the Crown and the commonality of Kilmallock 1569-70; friars probably expelled 1571 when the town was sacked; granted to Nicholas Miagh, sovereign of Kilmallock, and to the brethren and community 1594; (NM)	Flacispaghe	52°24′09″N 8°34′30″W
Kilmallock Monastery		early monastic site, founded early half of the 7th century by St Mochelloch; plundered 1015	Cell-mochelloc; Cell-dacheallog; Killochy	52°24′33″N 8°34′57″W
Kilmallock Monastery		purported Augustinian Canons Regular[notes 21]
Kilmallock Monastery		purported Augustinian Friars,[notes 22] in which case founded after 1630
Kilpeacon Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 690 by St Becan (Mo-Becoc)	Cluain-ard-Mobecoc	52°34′56″N 8°37′54″W (approx)
Kilrath Monastery		early monastic site, County Limerick?[notes 23]	Cella Rath
Kilsane Nunnery ^≈¤	nuns, (misreading of source)[notes 24]		properly St Catherine de O'Conyl, infra
Kilshane Abbey		Cistercian monks — from Corcomroe (County Clare)[notes 25] daughter of Corcomroe; founded 1198 by Donnchad Cairbreach O'Brien, King of Limerick; dissolved c.1200, united to Monasteranenagh	Cell-scanaig; Kil-son; Kil-sonna; Ballingarry; Garra
Kilshane Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded before 1426? by Fitzgerald, Lord of Clenlis[notes 26] dissolved after 1584
Kilteely Monastery		early monastic site, founded 6th century by St Patrick	Cell-tidil; Kilteidhill
Kilteely Commandery		Knights Templar chapel,[notes 27] purported commandery[notes 28] founded 1291[notes 29]	Kildromin Church	[18] 52°31′10″N 8°24′08″W
King's Island	Franciscan Friars, (misreading of source)[notes 30]		Island near Limerick[notes 31] properly Limerick Franciscan Friars, infra
Knockainy Monastery ^ø~		purported early monastic site — dubious[notes 32] unknown order, period or foundation	Cnoc-aine;; Aine-cliath; cf Any; Hospital of Any
Kynnethin Monastery ^ø≈		purported Augustinian Canons Regular — possible reference to Keynsham, Somerset, England, which had property in County Limerick	Kynnythin
Lehense Monastery ^≈		Carmelite Friars — possible duplication of reference to Barvegalense (Milltown)	possibly Barvegalense (Milltown)
Limerick Crutched Friars Priory Hospital		Crutched Friars founded before 1216 (during the reign of King John) by Simon Minor; dissolved 1537; passed to Augustinian Friars 1632 (see immediately below)	St Mary and St Edmund, King, and the Holy Cross	52°40′02″N 8°37′10″W
Limerick Monastery of the Holy Cross		Augustinian Friars founded 1632, previously Crutched Friars (see immediately above)	St Mary and St Edward	52°40′02″N 8°37′10″W
Limerick Blackfriars		Dominican Friars founded 1227 by Donogh Carbreach O'Brien, King of Thomond, buried here; (Edward I claimed his own ancestors were the founders); Dominican Friars, Regular Observant reformed 1504; dissolved 1543; granted to James, Earl of Desmond, who restored the friars; forfeited to the Crown 1569-72; granted to Robert Ansley 1589; held by James Gould until his death 1600; (subsequent history O'Heyne, Burgo and Coleman)	St Saviour
Limerick Franciscan Friars		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded 1267 (during the reign of Henry III) by the de Burgo family[notes 33] (Thomas de Burgo[notes 34] or William de Burgo[notes 35]); Observant Franciscan Friars reformed 1534; dissolved 1534; granted to Edmund Sexton; restored 1540-8; friars expelled by the Protestants 1548; ruinous, owned by Stephen Sexton prior to his death in 1595; abandoned until 1615
Limerick Priory		Augustinian nuns founded 1171? by Donal O'Brien, King of Limerick; dependent on Killone c.1189; dissolved 1541; farmed out by Edmund Sexton 1548	St Peter ____________________ probably Monaster ne Callow Duffe (Black Abbey)
Limerick Monaster ne Callow Duffe ^ø~		nuns — (probable misinterpretation)	probably Limerick Priory
Limerick Preceptory? ^ø		Knights Templar or Knights Hospitaller probable Frank House	Luimneach; Lumniac; Limbricen
Lough Gur, ^ø near Loghgir		purported Franciscan Friars	probably Friarstown (Ballynabrahrair)
Luddenbeg Monastery ^ø		purported monastery[notes 36] — remains appear to be a parochial church
Milltown Friary		Carmelite Friars founded 1459-60, land granted to Carmelites Donald Ygormellay and William de Burgo by James Deles, donsel of Emly Diocese, and Kennedy Macbriayn and his brother Torieleus, to build a monastery; dissolved before 1544; restored also mistakenly given as Carthusian[notes 37]	Ballinegall; Barvegalense; Ballywullan; Villa Mollendini; Molingar	52°31′57″N 8°24′10″W
Monasteranenagh Abbey		Cistercian monks — from Mellifont founded 1148 (1148/51) by Turlough O'Brien, King of Thomond, confirmed by King John; dissolved 1540; granted to Sir Osborne Echingham 1543; monks apparently continued to occupy until 1579; captured by the English 3 April 1580, during the Desmond rebellion and the monks massacred; (NM)	Monaster-an-Aonagh; Eanach; Monaster-na-maighe; Maigue; Maio; Manister; Nenagh; Nenay	[19] 52°31′01″N 8°39′46″W
St. Katherine's Abbey, Monisternagalliaghduff, nr. Shanagolden		Augustinian nuns founded 1298; dissolved 1541
Mungret Abbey		early monastic site, founded before 551 by St Nessan the Deacon; plundered on several occasions 9th-12th century; possible Augustinian Canons Regular for a time, 12th century — documentary evidence lacking; claimed episcopal status 1152 — deemed too close to the see at Limerick to substantiate the claim; (NM)	Mungairit; Moungairid	[20] 52°38′03″N 8°40′32″W
Newcastle Camera ^ø		Knights Templar[notes 38] founded 1184, castle of the earls of Desmond built by the Templars, who were stationed here; dissolved before 1308?	Caislen-nua	52°27′02″N 9°03′38″W
Old Kildimo Monastery ^~		early monastic site, purportedly founded prior to arrival of St Patrick in Munster,[notes 39] by Dimma	Cell-diomma; Kildimma
Old Kildimo Preceptory		Knights Templar[notes 40] Court Castle founded by the Templars		52°36′43″N 8°48′28″W (approx)
Rathkeale Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian — possibly from Rattoo purportedly founded c.1210? by Gilbert Harvey; dissolved 1542; restored, small community possibly in occupation until the Desmond rebellion, c.1581; granted to Sir Henry Wallop c.1594-5	The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Rathkeale ____________________ Rathkeale Abbey; Ragelli; Ragille; Ragkely; Rakil; Rathgial	52°31′25″N 8°55′57″W
Rathkeale Friary ^ø	Franciscan Friars[notes 41] — no such establishment here
Rochestown Friary		Dominican Friars founded ?; dependent on Limerick?; dissolved c.1544; granted to Robert Browne	Friarstown Friary, Rocheston; Rocheston; Ballyniwillin; Ballywilliam; Bailenambratharbeg; Mainistirnambratharbeg	52°32′32″N 8°32′08″W
St. Katherine's Abbey, Monisternagalliaghduff, near Shanagolden		Augustinian nuns founded before 1261; dissolved before 1567; granted to Sir Warham St Leger 1567; sometime owned by Sir John Desmond leased to James Gold 1583; granted to Sir Hugh Wallop 1594	St Catherine ____________________ St Catherine de O'Conyl Priory; Monasternecallow-duffe; Monasternagalliaghduff; Ballanegillagh	52°34′18″N 9°03′46″W

Map link to lists of monastic houses in Ireland by county

Click on a county to go to the corresponding article	Antrim Armagh Down Fermanagh Londonderry Tyrone Carlow Cavan Clare Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow

Notes

"Adare Dominican" — The Earl and Countess of Dunraven, Memorials of Adare, 1865, pp.35-6
"Adare Hospitallers" — White's List, M. Lenihan, Limerick, its History and Antiquities, 1866, p.562; Registrum Kilmainham, edited by J. T. Gilbert (Rolls Ser.), 1889, pp.140,155
"Any" — Ware-Harris, History of the Bishops of Ireland, 1739, p.202, probably from Pipe Roll, 17 May year 1, to 21 December year 2, Edw.III
Askeaton, 1389 founding — Wadding, who identified Askeaton with Luasia, though Canice Mooney, OFM, communications, notes that this is Latin for Laois
Askeaton, founding before 1400 — Canice Mooney, OFM, communications, identified convent of Inysgebryny, in existence 1400, with Askeaton
Askeaton founder — cf. E. B. Fitzmaurice and A. G. Little, Materials for History of the Franciscan Province of Ireland, 1920, pp.170,180-1
Askeaton, 1420 founding — James Ware
Askeaton Commandery — legendary attribution to Templars — T. J. Westropp, Journal, Royal Society of Antiquities in Ireland, xxiv, p.111
S. Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837, i, p.81
'Ballingarry Abbey' — Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901, given as 'church' on 6-inch Ordnance Survey
Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.419 (citing MSS Smith)
Lubin: Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticon Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, pp.310,312
Cassells Gazetteer of Britain and Ireland, i, p.446
Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, Castletown Masaniry:
M. Lenihan, Limerick, its History and Antiquities, 1866, p.31
Rev. Patrick Fitzgerald and John James M'Gregor, History, Topography and Antiquities of the county and city of Limerick, 1826, Vol 1, p.299 &
Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, p.433
Clonkeen — Lord Killanin & M. V. Duignan, Shell Guide to Ireland, 1962, (new edition 1967), p.352
given by M. Lenihan, Limerick, Its History and Antiquities, 1866, p.31
Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.810
Ordance Survey (6in) and Memorial Atlas of Ireland, 1901
White's list c.1658
Augustin Lubin, Orbis Augustinianus, as given by Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by J. Stevens, 1722, pp.309, 312, 324
Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, edited by W. Stokes, (Rolls Ser.), 1887, pp.200, 350
Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, p.353, misreading of James Ware, De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus ejus, 1654 edition, p.203
Rev. Patrick Fitzgerald and John James M'Gregor, The History, Topography and Antiquities of the County and City of Limerick, 1827, Vol 2, p.380
Rev. Patrick Fitzgerald and John James M'Gregor, The History, Topography and Antiquities of the County and City of Limerick, 1827, Vol 2, p.380
Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.425
Cassells, iv, p.1
Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Limerick County and City, 1837, p.288
Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786, p.430, misreading Wadding
Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722
Cassells, Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, iv, p.55
James Ware, De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus ejus, 1654 edition
Coll. de Rebust Hibernicis, BM. Additional manuscripts 4814, Sloane, f.5; Rev. Canice Mooney, OFM, Terminus, 1954, p.128
Tomas de Burgo, Hibernica Dominicana, 1762 edition, p.754
Rev. Patrick Fitzgerald and John James M'Gregor, History, Topography and Antiquities of the county and city of Limerick, 1826, Vol 1, pp.288-9, mentions ruins of abbey of Luden — (Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stephens, 1722, p.361); Luden is actually Louth Park, Lincolnshire
Thomas Dineley (in the time of Charles II), Journal, Royal Society of Antiquities of Ireland, viii, p.270
White's List ()compiled c.1658 — M. Lenihan, Limerick, its History and its Antiquities, 1866, pp.564, 736
O' Halloran
Cassells, Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 3, p.341
Rev. Canice Mooney, OFM, Terminus, 1956

Monastic houses of Ireland
Northern Ireland	Antrim Armagh Down Fermanagh Londonderry Tyrone
Republic of Ireland	Carlow Cavan Clare Cork Donegal Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow
Catholicism portal List of monastic houses in Ireland