Killone Augustinian Abbey

Killone Abbey is situated in a secluded and picturesque valley on the shore of Killone Lake. The ‘nunnery’ was founded for the Augustinians by Donal Mór O’Brien in the late 12th century during the same time period as Clare Abbey.

Killone Abbey is located in the ‘Barony of Islands’ approximately three kilometres south-west of the village of Clarecastle, and 4 km south of the town of Ennis. It was founded as an Augustinian Convent adjacent to the associated ‘Holy Well’ on the northern shoreline of Killone Lake (Lough), which are both dedicated to St John the Baptist (Killone = Cil Eoin = Church of John).

It was suppressed in 1584 and was recorded as being in ruins by 1617.

The death of its first abbess, Slaney, daughter of Donal Mór O’Brian, was recorded in 1260. It is believed that Slaney was the sister of Donnchadh Carbreach O’Brien, king of Thomond (d. 1242), who had founded the nearby Ennis Franciscan Friary.

The death of another abbess, Dubhchollaithigh O’Brien, was recorded in 1350, while in 1510 the death of Regnalda O’Brien is recorded.

The last recorded abbess was Lady Honora O’Brien. In her youth, she had followed the religious life at Killone, only to elope with Sir Roger O’Shaughnessy, with whom she had children before the Pope gave dispensation for their marriage.

Following dissolution, Killone Abbey was granted to Murrough O’Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond (d.1551), father of Honora.

Killone ‘nunnery’ is one in a number of fascinating monastic sites in and around the town of Ennis, in Co. Clare, together with Clare Abbey (Augustinian), Ennis and Quin Franciscan friaries.

The buildings are set around a cloister, with the church forming the northern side. Remains of the east, south and west ranges are visible, though the east range is the most substantial of the three, thanks to significant conservation work. The church has a very ornate east window in Late Romanesque style incorporating an intramural (within the building walls) stair to the church’s parapet. At the external south-eastern corner of the church is a decorative stone quoin (the external angle of a wall) in the shape of a woman’s head and arms, which appears to ‘symbolically’ support the church.

St John’s ‘Holy Well’ and altar are to the northeast of the nunnery.

Early maps record a ‘Pilgrim’s’ path connecting the site to Clare Abbey.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014