Kilcooley Cistercian Abbey
A Cistercian Abbey with associations to the powerful Ormond Family
Unguided sitesNotice
Kilcooley Abbey is a National Monument in state guardianship
*Please be aware there are sometimes livestock in the field surrounding this monument*
WARNING: It should be noted that these sites are unguided and a level of care and caution should be maintained during all stages of your visit. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) will not be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur
Kilcooley Cistercian Abbey
East of the village of Gortnahoe stands the ruins of Kilcooley Abbey, a Cistercian abbey dating to 1182AD. Dómhnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thomond and King of Munster, established Holy Cross Abbey in 1180 and Kilcooley Abbey two years later. Ua Briain is famed for his continuous fights of victory over the Normans in the late 12th
The abbey was sacked and burned in 1418 and again in 1445. Rebuilding fell to the Abbot Philip O’Mulwanayn. After his death in 1463 his son William and his descendants were the abbots of Kilcooley until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540. Even though the lands were granted to Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormonde in 1557 a community of monks still resided at Kilcooley. In 1636, the 10th Earl of Ormonde heir Lieu-Gen. James Fitz Thomas Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde sold Kilcooley Abbey to Sir Jerome Alexander. Cromwell’s forces finally ended the Cistercian presence at Kilcooley in 1650 and a decade later, after the restoration, Alexander’s daughter Elizabeth married Sir William Barker in 1676 and the abbey remained in their family until it was sold to the Ponsonby family in 1818.
Despite remodelling in the 15th century, much of the fabric of the 12th and 13th century nave and chancel survive, including a quatrefoil window and two piscine’s with aumbrys (a place to store sacred vessels). Roof scaring denotes the fires that burned it in 15th century. The 15th century rebuild included a moulded doorway, a double sedilia - one with the Butler coat of arms carved into the stone, an entrance to the nave and a screen wall. The screen wall shows depictions of the crucifixion with Mary and St. John on either side, a pelican feeding its young within a chalice, and a mermaid with a comb and mirror. The screen also has a depiction that experts believe to be of Philip O’Mulwanayn. The chancel holds two tombs, one of which is that of Piers Fitz Oge Butler, who married Honora Fitzpatrick. Her father was Barnaby Fitzpatrick Mac Giolla Phádraig, 1st Baron of Upper Ossory.
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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014
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