List of monastic houses in County Mayo

The 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, or preceptory/commandery.

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

Foundation	Image	Communities & provenance	Formal name or dedication & alternative names	References & location
Aghagower Abbey		early monastic site, Patrician monks founded in the 5th century by St Patrick; Augustinian Canons Regular	Aughagower; Achad-fobuir; Achad-fabhair	53°45′51″N 9°27′53″W
Aghamore Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Patrick for Loam	Achad-mor; Aghavower	53°49′54″N 8°49′21″W
Airne Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded in the 5th century, in the time of St Patrick	Ciaraige Airne	poss church site Lough Mannin, parish of Aghamore
Annagh 'Abbey', Kilmaine		Augustinian nuns — Arroasian — from Cong cell, dependent on Kilcreevanty; founded before 1440; dissolved before 1543? - Augustinian Friars?[notes 1] Franciscan Friars? possibly occupied site after suppression of the nunnery	Annies; Any; Enach	53°41′59″N 9°12′41″W
Annagh, Costello ≈		Augustinian Canons Regular supposed cell dependent on Cong; possible confusion with Annagh, Kilmaine
Ardnaree Friary, Ballina		Augustinian Friars founded before 1400 by the O'Dowda family; partial collapse and rebuilding, possibly refounded by Tagd O'Dowda; dissolution unknown, friars thought to have retained until 1577–82, remaining in the vicinity up to the late 18th century	Ardnary; Arnacensis	54°06′44″N 9°09′06″W
Balla Monastery		early monastic site, founded before 637 by St Mochua (Cronan); burned 780; coarbs into the 13th century	Balna	53°48′19″N 9°07′53″W
Ballentully Monastery ~		unknown order and foundation; given as Franciscan Friars — evidence lacking Ballintully possibly Turlough (q.v.) possibly Ballintober (q.v.)
Ballina Monastery ≈		unknown order and foundation — (Augustinian Canons Regular if Ardnaree)	probably Ardnaree (q.v.)
Ballinasmale Friary		Carmelite Friars founded 1288-9 by the Prendergast family; dissolved 1605?; granted to Sir John King c. 1605–06; passed to Francis Barkly 1585; convent restored by c. 1737; dissolved 1870	St Mary ____________________ Ballinasmall; Ballinsmaula; Baile-an-smallie; Vallis Mallis?	[1] 53°44′16″N 8°58′07″W
Ballinrobe Priory		Augustinian Friars founded c. 1312? probably by a de Burgo, possibly Elizabeth de Clare (also suggestedly Maurice Fitzgerald) dissolved c. 1584?; Augustinian Friars restored after 1641 rebellion	Baile-an-rodhba; Robe	53°37′35″N 9°13′15″W
Ballinrobe St John the Baptist		Knights Hospitaller member of the Priory of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem		[2]
Ballintubber Abbey +		early monastic site, founded in the 5th century, in the time of St Patrick - Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1216 by Cathal (Crobderg) O'Conor, King of Connacht; burned 1265; surrendered (nominally) to Henry VIII by Abbot Walter Mac Evilly de Stanton 1542; dissolved c. 1585; part granted to Sir John King 1605; Augustinian Friars apparently refounded c. 1635-1653; restored 1966; (NM)	The Holy Trinity ____________________ Ballintober; Baile-an-tobair; Tobar-patraic; Ville Fontis Patricii; de Fonte Patricii	53°45′24″N 9°16′58″W
Ballyhaunis Friary *=		Augustinian Friars founded c. 1430 supposedly by the Angulos (the Nangle-Mac Costello family), traditionally by a descendant of Jordan Dubh Mac Costello; granted to the Earl of Clanricarde 1570; friars permitted to remain; dissolved c. 1586?, land surrendered by the Mac Costello to Theobald Dillon; dissolved c. 1608?; Augustinian Friars restored after the Irish Rebellion 1641; burned 1650; restored 1938; extant	The Blessed Virgin Mary; The Immaculate Conception ____________________ 'The Abbey' ; Bellafamensis; Hanrahannassa	53°45′46″N 8°45′44″W
Ballyhean Monastery		early monastic site, supposedly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick	Bel-athat-hein; Ballyheane	53°47′43″N 9°18′50″W
Burriscarra Abbey		early monastic site Carmelite Friars founded 1298, probably by Adam, son of Philip de Staunton; dissolved c. 1377, abandoned for over 30 years; Augustinian Friars founded 1413, granted at the instance of the descendants of the founder, consent by the Maurice, Archbishop of Tuam, with papal approval 1413;	Buirghes-ceinn-trachta; Borriscara; Burgakere; Burgoflore	[3] 53°43′51″N 9°14′44″W
Burriscarra Friary ≈		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular[notes 2]	Buires Ceara; Cera; Leighcarrow-clondore (Clondaver)
Burrishoole Friary		Dominican Friars founded c. 1469 by Richard de Burgo of Turlough, Lord Mac William Oughter, who died here, papal consent 1486; dissolved 1580; granted to Nicholas Weston and assigned to Theobald Viscount Costillogalen; restored; dissolved c. 1606; granted to John King of Dublin 1606	St Mary ____________________ 'Burrishoole Abbey' ; Barasoule; Borisol; Buresula	53°53′56″N 9°34′20″W
Carheen Friary		suggested Dominican Friars before moving to Urlaur
Carn Abbey		unknown order, foundation and period, "Abbey in ruins"[notes 3]		[4] 53°53′58″N 9°09′44″W
Cell Tog Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 5th century by Cainnech, bishop and monk of St Patrick	Cellola Tog	53°42′34″N 9°16′48″W (approx)
Church Island Monastery, Lough Carra		early monastic site, founded by St Finan[notes 4]	Rathen	53°43′23″N 9°16′24″W
Clare Island Abbey		Cistercian monks founded by 1224; convent driven off by pirates became cell of Abbeyknockmoy after 1224 dissolved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth?; probably place of refuge for Carmelite Friars with other orders in the late 16th and 17th century	Saint Brigid's Abbey The Blessed Virgin Mary (from 1254) ____________________ 'the Abbey' ; 'Friary' (1605) Mainister-ni-clarch; Cliara; Cleara; Clara; Insula Maris; Oilen-ui-maile	53°47′35″N 9°59′22″W
Cong Abbey		early monastic site, founded 624 by Domnal, son of Aedh; diocesan cathedral 1111 (diocese not recognised by the synod of Kells) burnt 1114; Augustinian Canons Regular refounded c. 1134? by Turlough O'Conor; burnt 1137; new monastery built by Rory, Turlough's son; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian adopted probably soon after 1140; dissolved before 1568?; granted to William Collier 1571; granted to the town of Athenry 1597; possibly Augustinian Friars (if Crenquerensis (see immediately below)); (NM)	Cunga-Feichin; Conga	53°32′26″N 9°17′14″W
Crenquerensis Friary		Augustinian Friars possibly located in County Galway, probably Cong, former house of Augustinian Canons (see immediately above)	Cong?
Cross Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular 153,168 founded as a daughter house of Ballintuber, possibly in connection with the early foundation at Inishglora whose community possibly moved to the mainland in the 10th century, confirmed 1400, dissolved c. 1584	St Brendan, Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Cross ____________________ Cross in Mullet; Cross-rathig; Crossrayn	[5]
Crossmolina Priory		possible early monastic site in the 10th century; Augustinian Canons Regular founded after c. 1270; dependent on Ballybeg; non-conventual by 1438; given as conventual cell 1444 dissolved c. 1584?	The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Mainishir Taobh Thiar do Shruth; Crossmalyne Cros-Maoiliona; Cros-mail-fhina; Cresmuylyana; Crossmolina Abbey	[6][7] 54°06′26″N 9°19′06″W
Davaghkeiran Monastery		early monastic site, 'Abbey'[notes 3]	Dabach-cieran; Dabaghkieran	[8] 54°02′12″N 9°17′31″W
Domnach-mor Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick
Duvillaun Monastery		early monastic site, Anchorites		54°04′31″N 10°10′09″W
Emlagh Monastery ≈		early monastic site	Imleach-each; possibly Emlagh, County Roscommon
Errew Abbey		early monastic site Augustinian Canons Regular priory cell dependent on Crossmolina? founded c. 1413? by the Barret family dissolved c. 1585? Augustinian Friars mentioned 1463; monastery/friary 1585-6; friary 1605	St Tigernan ____________________ Aireach-lochacon; Aired-locha-con; Erew; Loch Conn; Oired; Oreab; Temple-na-galliach-dhub; Erevensis in Connacht?	54°03′11″N 9°15′48″W
Errew Friary ø		purported Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular — evidence lacking
Errew Nunnery		nuns order, status, foundation and dissolution unknown
Fochlud Monastery		early monastic site, nuns, founded in the 5th century by St Patrick;	Fochloth	54°11′54″N 9°17′26″W (approx)
High Island Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 7th century; (NM)	Ard Oilean
Inishglora Monastery		early monastic site, nuns, founded before 577-83 by St Brendan; probably transferred in the 10th century to Cross, supra, due to raids by the Norsemen	St Brendan ____________________ Inis Gulair Brenaind	[9] 54°12′31″N 10°07′10″W
Inishkea North		early monastic site, founded in the 6th century by St Colmcille?	Inis-ce	54°07′46″N 10°11′10″W
Inishmaine Abbey		early monastic site, founded in the 7th century by St Corbmac; possibly Benedictine nuns (unless not united with Kilcreevanty until after its adoption of Augustinian rule); Augustinian nuns — Arroasian[notes 5] — possibly from Annaghdown; [?re-]founded after 1223 (after 1227?); dependent on Kilcreevanty dissolved c. 1587?; (NM)	Inis-medhon; Inis-meadhoin; Inis-meadhon; Inchmean	53°35′53″N 9°18′05″W
Inishrobe Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 6th century by St Colmcille?	Inis-rodba	53°38′52″N 9°17′08″W (approx)
Inishturk Monastery #		early monastic site, supposedly founded in the 7th century by St Colman; Friars possible place of refuge	Inis-torc; Inis-tuirc	53°41′50″N 10°05′47″W
Kilfinain Monastery		early monastic site, founded by St Finan, Abbot of Rathen; church in the monastery of Rathen		Carra, north of R. Robe
Kilgharvan Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 7th century by St Fechin of Fore	Cell-garbhain; Kilnegarvan	[10] 54°05′24″N 9°01′41″W
Kilkeny Friary ≈~		purported Friars, possibly Franciscan Friars, name possibly an alias for another house	Kylkeny; Kilveny
Killala Monastery +		Patrician monks founded in the 5th century, purportedly by St Patrick; diocesan cathedral 1111 to present	Aladh; Cell-aladh	54°12′47″N 9°13′16″W
Killedan Friary ≈		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual or Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular; existing into the 19th century if Mons Pietatis	Mons Pietatis?	[11] 53°52′48″N 9°00′06″W
Killeen Cell,≈ Attymas		Premonstratensian Canons[notes 6]	possibly Killeentrynode
Killeenatrava Nunnery		Augustinian nuns — Arroasian — apparently from Cong; possibly initially a cell of Cong, founded after 1223; dependent on Kilcreevanty after 1223-4; dissolved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth	Kill-ecrau; Kill-eenacrava; Cillin-na-mbuiden	53°37′42″N 9°14′11″W
Killeenbrenan Friary		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular — possibly brethren and sisters; founded before 1426, possibly by a de Burgo;[notes 7] dissolved 1574; granted to Thomas Lewis 5 April 1574; granted to the burgesses and commonalty of Athenry and/or the burgesses and commonalty of Galway, 1578	Killina Bonaina; Kilbrenan	[12] 53°32′20″N 8°53′31″W
Killeentrynode Cell		Premonstratensian Canons founded 1260; daughter of Loughkea; probably non-conventual; dubiously suggested Premonstratensian nuns; dissolved before 1594	The Holy Trinity ____________________ Killetrynode; Killyn Abbey; Killeen Teampull na gCailmat; Templenagalliaghdoo; Teampall na gCailleach Dubh; (Church of the Black Veiled Nuns)	[13] 54°18′56″N 9°19′57″W
Kilmaine Monastery		Gaelic monks, purportedly founded in the 5th century by St. Patrick; became prebendal church of Tuam	Cell-medhon
Kilmore Monastery		early monastic site	Kilmore by Termoncarragh; Teampall na Cille More	54°14′03″N 10°03′06″W
Kilmore-Moy Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded in the 5th century	Cell-mor-ochtair-muaide; Cell-mor-muaide; Kilmormoyle	54°07′22″N 9°09′52″W
Kilnamanagh Friary ø		purported Franciscan Friars — evidence lacking Cell-na-manach
Kilroe Monastery		early monastic site, founded c. 5th century	Cell-ro; Cell-roe-mor	54°12′35″N 9°12′25″W (approx?)
		early monastic site, founded c. 7th century by St Lunecharia (Luineachair)	Cell-lunechuir; Killukin	53°42′26″N 8°49′39″W (approx?)
Kilveny Friary ≈~		purported Franciscan Friars — evidence lacking Kilreny; Kilkeny; Kilkenny
Kinlough Monastery		early monastic site, founded c. 8th century	Ceann-lacha; Cenn-lacha	53°29′54″N 9°06′53″W
Knock Carmelite Monastery		Carmelite nuns	Monastery of the Nativity, Tranquilla, Knock	[14] 53°47′24″N 8°55′02″W
Knockor Friary ~		foundation, order and dissolution unknown; granted to John Rawson 1594	Knocknor
Lia na Manach Monastery		early monastic site, possibly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick	Leac-fionnbaile; Lecc-finn
Mayo Abbey		early monastic site, Anglo-Saxon monks founded c. 671 by St Colman of Lindisfarne; supposed Benedictine monks — evidence lacking diocesan cathedral see transferred from Clogher 1152; see transferred to Clogher c. 1192; Augustinian Canons Regular secular college founded c. 1209; abbey status c. 1370, confirmed by the pope; dissolved after 1569; granted to John Rawson 1594; Benedictine 109	St Michael ____________________ Mageo; Magneo; Temple Gerald; Elitheria	53°45′36″N 9°06′58″W
Mayo Nunnery ≈		nuns founded in the 7th century?	possibly Domnach Kerne or Domnach-ceirne
Meelick Monastery		early monastic site	Mil-eac	53°55′18″N 9°01′12″W
Moyne Abbey		possibly Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual? founded before 24 March 1455 by Lord Mac William de Burgo, purportedly at the instance of Father Nehemias O'Donohue,[notes 8] or 1458 by Thomas de Burgo, MacWilliam (or by a Baret[notes 9] or Barry[notes 10]); Observant Franciscan Friars reformed (or founded) 1455;[notes 11]-60;[notes 12] dissolved 1590, burnt by Bingham; ruinous by 1595; granted to Edmund Barrett; friars remained until another house was built in the vicinity[notes 8] (see immediately below)	Maighin; Maigne; Magyn; Moyen; Muaidhe	54°12′08″N 9°10′38″W
Moyne Friary		Observant Franciscan Friars — from Moyne Abbey (see immediately above) founded 1618
Murrisk Abbey		Augustinian Friars founded 1456, papal mandate for Hugh O'Malley, friar at Banada, to be licensed to build a monastery; Observant reformed 1458; dissolved 1578, friars expelled; granted to James Garvey; friars apparently later returned;	Leithearwmursge; Muirisce; Morasque; Morisk	53°46′55″N 9°38′22″W
Murrisk Friary ≈	erroneously purported Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular[notes 2][notes 13]
Oughaval Monastery #		early monastic site, purportedly founded in the 6th century by St Colmcille[notes 14]	Nuachongbhail	53°45′34″N 9°39′30″W
Partry Monastery		early monastic site, founded in the 6th century?, in the time of St Colmcille?	Obdacheara; Partraighe-ceara; Odbhacheara in Partragia	53°40′53″N 9°17′52″W
Rathfran Priory		Dominican Friars founded 1274, purportedly by a de Exeter[notes 15] (Dexter), possibly Steven de Exeter[notes 16] or Sir Richard de Exeter,[notes 17] or by a de Burgo,[notes 18] possibly William de Burgo;[notes 19] dissolved 1590, burned by Bingham's army; granted to William Taaffe 1596; (later history v. O'Heyne, Burgo, Coleman, RSAI and Mould)	Priory of the Holy Cross ____________________ Rathbran; Raithbrain; Rahrany	54°14′17″N 9°14′40″W
Rosserk Friary		Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular founded before December 1441 dissolved c. 1578; lease granted to James Garvey; possibly later restored and dissolved 1590, burned by Bingham; granted to Edmond Barret 1595; suggested Observant Franciscan Friars[notes 20] Ros-erc; Roisent; Rosserick	54°10′17″N 9°08′36″W
St Derivla's Monastery		early monastic site, probably founded in the 6th century by St Dairbhile		54°05′46″N 10°06′25″W
Shrule Monastery		early monastic site	Sruthair; Cloghuanaha	53°31′08″N 9°05′27″W
Strade Friary		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded c. 1240 (before 1252) by Jordan de Exeter, Lord of Athelthane or his son Stephen, at the bequest of the former's wife Basilia, daughter of Miler de Bermingham; Observant Franciscan Friars reform adopted unknown date dissolved 1252; Dominican Friars refounded 1252 or 1253; dissolved 1578?	The Holy Cross ____________________ Straide; Sraid; Ath-leathan; Ath-leayn; Ballylahan; Templemore	53°55′17″N 9°07′42″W
Turlough Abbey		early monastic site, possibly founded in the 5th century by St Patrick; probably ceased to be monastic long before church pillaged by Mac William 1236	Turlach	53°53′19″N 9°12′30″W
Urlaur Abbey		Dominican monks founded c. 1430 by the Angulo (Nagle) family (later assuming the name MacCostello), papal license granted 1434; dissolved 1612; granted to Sir Edward Fisher; later granted to Lord Dillon (Viscount Costello-Gallen), a Catholic, who permitted a community of friars; dissolved c. 1654	The Abbey Church of Saint Thomas, Urlaur ____________________ Urlare; Orlare; Orlare; Owrelare	53°51′06″N 8°44′49″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

1. Mervyn Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum, 1786 p.493
2. Analecta Hibernica (Irish Manuscript Commission) No.6, November 1914, i, p.104
3. Ordnance Survey
4. Archdall confuses with Rathenepscop (Rathaspick), County Donegal
5. Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722, p.156 lists as Benedictine and located in County Roscommon
6. Hubert Thomas Knox, History of County Mayo, p.97, f. — no other record of such an establishment
7. Hubert Thomas Knox, History of County Mayo, p.96
8. Analecta Hibernica No.6, 6 November 1834, Irish Manuscript Commission, ii, p.158
9. Analecta Hibernica No.6, 6 November 1834, Irish Manuscript Commission, i, p.51
10. Louis Augustin Alemand, Monasticum Hibernicum, translated and edited by John Stevens, 1722
11. Analecta Hibernica No.6, 6 November 1834, Irish Manuscript Commission, iii, p.199
12. Canice Mooney, O.F.M., Terminus, 1954, p.247
13. Canice Mooney, O.F.M., Terminus, 1956, p.141
14. Hubert Thomas Knox, Notes on the Early History of the Dioceses of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, 1904, pp.79,141,313
15. James Ware, De Hibernia, et Antiquitatibus ejus, 1654 edition, p.223
16. Hubert Thomas Knox, History of County Mayo, p.95
17. J. Neary, Galway A.S. viii., p.19 and Lord Killanin and M. V. Duignan, Shell Guide to Ireland, 1962 (new edition 1967), p.328
18. J. O'Heyne, O.P., Irish Dominicans (Epil. Chron...), (translated by A. Coleman, O.P., 1902), 1706
19. Tomas de Burgo, Hibernica Dominicana, 1762 edition
20. J. Healy, The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913-4, viii, p.641, refuted by Canice Mooney, O.F.M., communications